Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa were only 28 years old. Both died from brain injuries.
The two Japanese boxers Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa have died from brain injuries sustained in the same event but in different fights.
This was confirmed by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) on Saturday and Sunday on social media, about a week after the event in Tokyo on August 2. Both were only 28 years old.
Kotari and Urakawa were taken to hospital after their fights, where they had to undergo brain surgery.
Kotari lost consciousness after the fight
Super featherweight Kotari, who had fought to a draw against his Japanese compatriot Yamato Hata after twelve rounds, lost consciousness shortly after the fight and died on Friday evening, his boxing club M.T. Boxing Gym announced on its website on Saturday.
Lightweight Urakawa was stopped in the eighth and final round against Yoji Saito and “tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during the fight,” the WBO wrote on Instagram on Sunday.
According to local media reports, Urakawa died on Saturday evening. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time,” the WBO said.