Two boxers die after fighting at the same event

Boxing has gained social acceptance and considerable media attention in recent years.

(dpa) Two Japanese professional boxers died a few days after fighting at the same event. This was reported by the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Council (WBC). The two boxers, Hiromasa Urakawa and Shigetoshi Kotari, fought in separate fights on August 2 at the Korakuen Arena in Tokyo.

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“The boxing world is shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of two boxers,” WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said on Platform X.

As the WBO announced on Instagram, the 28-year-old Urakawa "tragically succumbed to his injuries" following his duel with Yoji Saito. According to the Japanese Boxing Commission, the athlete suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. The lightweight had competed in an eight-round bout. Urakawa lost the fight by technical knockout.

According to a statement from the WBC boxing association, Shigetoshi Kotari also died at the age of 28 from the consequences of a brain injury.

After the twelve-round fight against Yamato Hata, which ended in a draw, the super featherweight lost consciousness and underwent emergency surgery in a hospital.