Boxers Shigetoshi Kotari, Hiromasa Urakawa Die from Brain Injuries Suffered in Fights

The World Boxing Organization announced that both Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa died at the age of 28 from brain injuries suffered during their fights against Yamato Hata and Yoji Saito on Aug. 2.

According to BBC, Kotari underwent emergency brain surgery to treat a subdural hematoma after the bout, and he was pronounced dead less than one week later. Urakawa underwent a craniotomy to also treat a subdural hematoma, per ESPN's Andreas Hale.

Kotari was the challenger for the OPBF super featherweight title against Hata, and the fight ended in a split draw, which brought Kotari's career record to 8-2-2.

Per BBC, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman released a statement on Kotari's passing, saying:

"Deeply sorry for this loss, a ring accident which makes all of us go back to continue research to find ways to make boxing safer and implement prevention programs. Our deepest sympathy and condolences for his family and the boxing community in Japan."

Following the fatal injuries, the Japan Boxing Commission announced that all future OPBF title fights would be shortened from 12 rounds to 10.