Japanese boxer Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, died on Friday from injuries sustained during his bout with Yamato Hata on 2 August. He is the second high-profile boxer to die this year after the Irishman John Coney succumbed in February after a fight.
Kotair was hospitalised after the fight in Tokyo and underwent an emergency brain surgery. He had suffered ‘subdural hematoma’ – a condition where blood collects between the skull and the brain, it was reported. The Japan Boxing Commission said Kotari was one of two fighters to require brain surgery following the event, with Hiromasa Urakawa undergoing a craniotomy following his bout with Yoji Saito.
Following Katori’s fight, the Japan Boxing Commission had declared that all title bouts of Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation will henceforth be 10 rounds instead of 12.
Kotari had drawn with Hata for the OPBF super-featherweight title, while Urakawa was knocked out by Saito in their featherweight bout. Kotari had fought for 12 three-minute rounds against Hata for the OPBF Super Featherweight.
On Aug. 1, Kotari shared his last instagram post, a photo of him posing alongside his opponent Hata ahead of their match.“Weigh in clear! Finally the time has come. What I’ve been accumulating, bet it all and go win,” the caption translated from Japanese reads. “I will definitely be a champion 🧨🔥 … Your support is greatly appreciated! Stay tuned. Osu”
His death was confirmed by the World Boxing organisation. A statement read: “Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari. The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight. A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community.”
The president of the World Boxing Council Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement: “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.”
