Japanese boxers died from brain injuries

Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts during the same event in Tokyo, according to the World Boxing Organization (WBO) and local media, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, lost consciousness immediately after a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation lightweight champion Yamato Hata on August 2. He underwent emergency brain surgery but died later that day.

Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, died on Saturday from injuries suffered when he was knocked down by Yoji Saito at Korakuen Hall on August 2. He also underwent surgery for a brain hemorrhage but did not survive.

The deaths mark the third fatal boxing incident this year. In February, Irish super lightweight John Cooney, 28, died from a brain injury after being stopped in the first defense of his Celtic title, Anadolu Agency reports.