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In an unfortunate sporting event, Japanese boxer Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, died after sustaining brain injury during his match with Yamato Hata on August 2, in Tokyo. News reports indicate Kotari was taken to the hospital immediately after the match and underwent emergency brain surgery to treat a subdural hematoma. Doctors treating the young boxer revealed that Kotari required a craniotomy, a procedure involving the removal of part of the skull, due to severe clotting. Sadly, less than a week after his title bout with Tamato Hata, it was confirmed that Kotari succumbed to his injuries. The super featherweight fighter had participated in 12 professional boxing bouts during his career.
According to the Japan Boxing Commission, Kotari along with the other boxer Hiromasa Urakawa were required to undergo brain surgery after the boxing event in Tokyo. Multiple boxing bodies including World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and the World Boxing Council (WBC) poured in their tribute to Kotari, who had a record of winning eight matches, two losses, and two draws. During one of the rounds of the match, Kotari appeared exhausted, yet far from defeated. No one in the arena could have foreseen what was about to unfold. As Kotari rested in his corner, perhaps contemplating a future rematch, he suddenly told his team he was feeling unwell. Moments later, before anyone could respond, the young fighter collapsed in front of thousands of shocked onlookers.
Post Shigetoshi Kotari death, title bouts will be of 10 rounds instead of 12
After the August 2 event, the Japan Boxing Commission has come up with new changes in matches where it is decided that Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title fights would be reduced from 12 rounds to 10. Kotari, a highly skilled boxer, entered the bout against Hata on the back of two consecutive victories, carrying strong momentum into the fight.
Kotari's death has ignited the talks about how boxing players are vulnerable to injury. Kotari is the second prominent boxer to pass away in 2025, following the death of Irish fighter John Cooney in February after a bout in Belfast. Cooney, also 28, died from an intracranial hemorrhage sustained during his fight with Welshman Nathan Howells.
