Japanese boxer Shigetoshi Kotari has passed away at the age of 28 due to injuries sustained in a title fight with Yamato Hata, which took place just six days ago.
The talented fighter had to be rushed to hospital following the bout on August 2 to undergo an emergency brain surgery on a subdural hematoma.
Kotari required a craniotomy – an operation which automatically forces a Japanese boxer to retire due to laws in the country’s boxing governing body- and two days after undergoing the procedure, the Japan Boxing Commission confirmed he remained under observation.
Almost a week on from the title fight, the commission has now confirmed via social media that Kotari has succumbed to his injuries.
‘Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,’ the statement started. ‘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.’
Shigetoshi Kotari had brain surgery six days ago but has tragically succumbed to his injuries
Kotari, a super featherweight fighter, fought 12 times during his professional career, winning eight bouts, drawing two, and losing two.
His OPBF Super Featherweight Title bout with Hata, which lasted the full 12 rounds, ended as a majority draw.
The result of Kotari’s injury and his subsequent tragic death has led to a change in rules enforced by the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation.
Moving forward, OPBF title fights will be 10 rounds, rather than the 12 you regularly see in the world’s biggest championship bouts.
The World Boxing Council, better known as the WBC, has also released a statement in the wake of Kotari’s death.
They wrote: ‘The courageous Japanese boxer Shigetoshi Kotari has died from a brain injury sustained during his draw fight with Yamato Hata on August 2nd in Tokyo.
‘Kotari, 28, lost consciousness after the 12-round bout for Yamato Hata’s OPBF super featherweight title. He was rushed to a hospital for emergency brain surgery, suffering a subdural hematoma, which is another term for a brain hemorrhage.
‘Kotari, from Nagoya, had won two consecutive eight-round fights by unanimous decision to earn this title shot.
‘The WBC and its President, Mauricio Sulaimán, deeply mourn this irreparable loss and wish his family and friends strength during this difficult time. Rest in Peace…’
