'An Irreparable Loss': Two Boxers Who Competed in the Same Tournament Died of Head Injuries

Two Japanese boxers died one after another after fights

Two Japanese boxers who competed in the same tournament have died of head injuries. Hiromasa Urakawa died a few days after his colleague Shigetoshi Kotari. Both were injured in fights at the same tournament in Tokyo on August 2.

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Two Japanese boxers have died within days of suffering head injuries in separate bouts at the same tournament, according to boxing associations and media reports, The Guardian reports.

Shigetoshi Kotari died on Friday and Hiromasa Urakawa on Saturday after injuries sustained during their bouts at Tokyo's Korakuen on Aug. 2, Japanese media reported.

Both 28-year-old boxers reportedly underwent surgery to treat subdural hematomas, or internal bleeding in the skull.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and the Japanese boxing community at this incredibly difficult time,” the World Boxing Organization said in a statement on Saturday about Urakawa, who lost by knockout to Yoji Saito.

The World Boxing Council said on Friday that Kothari died as a result of an injury sustained during a 12-round draw with Yamato Hata.

According to the WBC, Kothari, 28, collapsed after a 12-round draw against Yamato Hata for the Eastern and Pacific Boxing Federation super heavyweight title. Kothari was taken to the hospital and underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a subdural hematoma is a type of bleeding in the brain that can occur after a head injury.

Urakawa, 28, also required brain surgery, a craniotomy, after losing in six rounds to Yoji Saito at the same tournament, the BBC reported, citing the Japan Boxing Commission.

"Deeply sorry for this loss - an unfortunate incident in the ring that forces us all to return to continuing research to find ways to make boxing safer and implement prevention programs," WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman wrote on social media. "Our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and the boxing community in Japan."

“The WBC and its President Mauricio Sulaiman deeply mourn this irreparable loss and wish his family and friends strength during this difficult time,” the WBC said in a statement.

Another boxer, 28-year-old Irish heavyweight John Cooney, died this year from a head injury after being stopped during his first world title defence at Celtic in February.