A Japanese boxer died on Friday (Aug. 8) due to injuries sustained in a recent fight.
The World Boxing Organization announced the death of Shigetoshi Kotari in a statement on X. He was 28.
“Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,” the organization said in a statement. “The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his Aug. 2 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 statement continued.
Kotari lost consciousness after sustaining a serious injury during the title fight match against Yamato Hata in Tokyo on Aug. 2.
Afterward, Kotari was “rushed to a hospital in Tokyo and diagnosed with acute subdural hematoma," according to a press release shared by the Japan Boxing Commission. He underwent an emergency craniotomy and was “under observation” following the procedure.
Kotari went through 12 three-minute rounds against Hata over the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Super Featherweight title. The fight ended in a draw, giving Kotari a record of eight wins, two losses, and two draws.
After Kotari’s emergency surgery, the Japan Boxing Commission announced that federation title fights have been shortened to 10 rounds instead of 12.
