Boxing is the toughest of sports, and never more has that been emphasised more than by recent events in Japan.
The fight game is in mourning today after a second fighter died following the same show in the capital city of Tokyo. Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa both lost their lives to brain injuries after taking part in a card at the Korakuen Hall last Saturday (August 2).
The first tragedy was confirmed on Friday (August 8) with the death of Kotari, and just 24 hours later on Saturday, it was also confirmed that Urakawa had passed away. Both men were just 28 years old.
Tragedy strikes boxing
The awful news comes after the Japan Boxing Commission confirmed in the aftermath of the show that both fighters had lost consciousness following their fights, and both had been rushed to hospital. They underwent emergency craniotomy surgery for acute subdural hematomas.
The death of Kotari (8-2-2) came after his fight vs Yamato Hata for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Super Featherweight title. The bout ended in a draw after 12 hard-fought rounds. Kotari was able to leave the ring under his own power, but would later lose consciousness in the medical room at the arena before being rushed to hospital by ambulance.
Lightweight Urakawa (10-4) meanwhile was leading on all three scorecards before being knocked out in the eighth and final round of his matchup vs Yoji Saito. He lost consciousness before being placed on a stretcher and rushed from the arena to a local hospital.
Our thoughts and prayers are very much with the families and friends of both fighters.
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