Boxer Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, dies and second | Boxing News

Japanese boxed Shigetoshi Kotari has tragically handed away after shedding consciousness following a title battle against Yamato Hata on August 2. The 28-year-old was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency mind surgical procedure for a subdural hematoma, but has since succumbed to his accidents.

On August 4, a press release from the Japan Boxing Commission confirmed that both Kotari and fellow fighter Hiromasa Urakawa had undergone craniotomies after their respective bouts. It didn’t offer a lot of an update on their circumstances, but acknowledged that both have been under commentary.

JBC laws state that any boxers who require craniotomies are robotically positioned in retirement and are no longer allowed to compete professionally.

But, in Kotari’s case, the news is far worse after the World Boxing Organisation was among those to mourn his heartbreaking passing on Friday.

A WBO assertion read: “Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari. 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 ideas and prayers are with his household, crew, and your entire Japanese boxing neighborhood.”

Kotari and Hata had fought out a draw in their OPBF Super Featherweight Title outing, which lasted 12 three-minute rounds.

The super featherweight – born in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan and fighting out of Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan – boasted a record of eight wins, two draws and two losses.

He was on a two-fight win streak ahead of his battle with Hata, having defeated Riki Hamada and Jonniel Laurente by unanimous decision in November 2024 and May 2025.

After Kotari and Urakawa’s emergency surgeries, Secretary-General Tsuyoshi Yasukawa announced changes are set to be enforced by the JBC.

Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts will switch from the current 12 rounds to 10 rounds going forward.

But it will mean very little as Japanese boxing mourns one of its fighters in a tragic turn of events.

Boxing News paid tribute, writing: “We are deeply saddened to be taught of the passing of Japanese boxer Shigetoshi Kotari due to accidents sustained in his August bout against Yamato Hata. Boxing News sends our condolences to his family members.”

BoxingScene shared: “BoxingScene are deeply saddened to be taught of the passing of Japanese junior light-weight Shigetoshi Kotari due to accidents sustained in his August bout against Yamato Hata. Rest in Peace, champ.”