Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate fights on the same card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall, prompting changes to title bout rules.
Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed after a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on August 2. He underwent emergency surgery for a subdural haematoma but died on Friday, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) confirmed.
A day later, Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, died from the same injury suffered during a knockout loss to Yoji Saito on the undercard. He had undergone a craniotomy in a bid to save his life.
The Japanese Boxing Commission said all OPBF title bouts will now be shortened from 12 to 10 rounds. The tragedies follow the death of Irish boxer John Cooney earlier this year after a similar injury in Belfast.
