Tragic Loss of Boxer Shigetoshi Kotari

Just six days after battling for the junior lightweight title in Tokyo, Japanese boxer Shigetoshi Kotari sadly passed away due to a brain injury.

Kotari died on Friday, as reported by multiple sources, following the injury he sustained during his match against Yamatohata on August 2nd.

He was only 28 years old.

Kotari had been vying for the Oriental Boxing Federation (OPBF) belt against Hata, who held a record of 17 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, with 16 of those victories by knockout.

He had previously secured a shot at the title after winning an eight-round match by unanimous decision.

The fight took place at Korakuen Hall.

After the bout, which ended in a draw, Kotari unfortunately lost consciousness.

Tributes poured in on social media from boxing organizations worldwide, expressing sorrow over the loss of the talented fighter. “Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,” they wrote. “The world of boxing mourns the untimely passing of the Japanese fighter, injured during the title fight on August 2nd. A true warrior of the ring.”

Kotari, originally from Nagoya, had managed to leave the ring by himself but appeared visibly shaken following the head injury. He even took a moment to applaud the fans who came to support him.

After the fight, Kotari was transported to a nearby hospital, where he underwent emergency brain surgery due to a subdural hematoma but, unfortunately, could not recover.

“We are deeply saddened by this loss,” a spokesperson stated. “We will continue to work on making boxing safer and implement prevention programs.” This sentiment reflected a commitment to enhancing safety in the sport, especially after such a tragic event.

The Japanese Boxing Committee is expected to announce significant changes, including reducing the number of rounds in OPBF title fights from 12 to 10, as a response to this incident.