A 28-year-old Japanese boxer has died from brain injuries suffered during a Tokyo fight last week. Shigetoshi Kotari passed away on Friday, six days after his 2 super-featherweight bout against Yamato Hata.
The fighter was hospitalised immediately after the match and underwent emergency surgery for a subdural haematoma. This serious condition occurs when blood accumulates in the space between the brain and skull.
Kotari's death marks a tragic end for the boxer, whose professional record stood at eight victories, two defeats and two draws. His final fight against Hata ended in a draw as they competed for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super-featherweight championship.
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The Tokyo event proved catastrophic for multiple fighters that evening. Kotari wasn't the sole boxer to suffer severe head trauma during the competition.
The 28-year-old was hospitalised immediately after the fight
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Hiromasa Urakawa also required emergency brain surgery after his featherweight match against Yoji Saito. Medical staff performed a craniotomy on Urakawa following his knockout defeat.
Both fighters underwent surgical procedures to address critical brain injuries sustained during their respective bouts. The dual medical emergencies highlighted the devastating risks inherent in professional boxing.
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No information has emerged regarding Urakawa's current medical status. The severity of injuries to both boxers prompted immediate action from Japanese boxing authorities, who moved swiftly to implement new safety measures for future competitions.
Japanese boxing authorities responded decisively to the tragedy. The Japan Boxing Commission declared that Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation championship contests would be reduced from twelve rounds to ten rounds going forward.
International boxing organisations expressed their condolences for Kotari's passing. Both the World Boxing Organisation and World Boxing Council issued statements honouring the fallen fighter.
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Mauricio Sulaiman offered his condolences following the tragic loss
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World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaimán offered heartfelt words: "Deeply sorry for this loss, a ring accident which makes all of us go back to continue research to find ways to make boxing safer and implement prevention programmes. Our deepest sympathy and condolences for his family and the boxing community in Japan."
The regulatory changes and tributes underscore boxing's ongoing struggle with athlete safety.
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The death of Kotari represents the second fatal incident in professional boxing during 2025. Earlier this year, 28-year-old Irish boxer John Cooney died following a Belfast fight in February.
Cooney suffered an intracranial haemorrhage during his match against Welsh fighter Nathan Howells. The Irish boxer's death shocked the boxing community and reignited debates about fighter safety protocols.
John Cooney also died earlier this year from injuries sustained in the ring
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These two tragedies within months of each other have intensified scrutiny of boxing's safety measures.
Both fighters were 28 years old when they died from brain injuries sustained in the ring.