Shigetoshi Kotari has died at the age of 28, just one week after he fought Yamato Hata to a draw in the OPBF Super Featherweight title fight in Tokyo, Japan
Shigetoshi Kotari succumbed to injuries sustained during the August 2 bout in Tokyo(Image: Instagram/@k_shige92)
Japanese boxer Shigetoshi Kotari has died at the age of 28, a week after his OPBF Super Featherweight title fight with Yamato Hata.
The super-featherweight succumbed to injuries from the August 2 bout in Tokyo, despite emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma incurred during the match. A subdural hematoma is a type of bleeding that occurs between the brain and skull.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) confirmed Kotari’s death on Friday in a heartfelt statement, calling him “a warrior in the ring” and “a fighter in spirit.” The news comes just over a week after a former world champion who held six belts died at the age of 47.
READ MORE: Dale Earnhardt Jr has had last laugh since feud with dad’s widow Teresa turned uglyREAD MORE: Aaron Rodgers shows true colors after Steelers injury setback
“Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,” the WBO’s post read. “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.”
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman also expressed his condolences on social media, stating he is “deeply sorry for this loss” and called for research to “research to find ways to make boxing safer and implement prevention programmes.
Content cannot be displayed without consent
“Our deepest sympathy and condolences for his family and the boxing community in Japan,” he continued.
Kotari, boasting a record of eight wins, two losses, and two draws, had shared an image on Instagram with Hata just one day before their match.
“Finally the time has come. What I’ve been accumulating, bet it all and go win. I will definitely be a champion,” read the translated caption of his post.
The pair ended their bout for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super-featherweight title in a draw, prompting the Japan Boxing Commission to reduce OPBF title fights from 12 rounds to 10.
The JPC disclosed that Kotari underwent emergency brain surgery after the fight due to a subdural hematoma.
Another fighter, Hiromasa Urakawa, also needed a craniotomy after his fight against Yoji Saito.
Two days post-surgery, the organization reported that he was still under medical supervision.
Now, nearly a week after the fight, the commission has confirmed Kotari’s passing from his injuries.