Two Japanese Boxers Die From Brain Injuries at Same Event

Two Japanese boxers have died days after suffering brain injuries in separate fights at the same event in Tokyo, boxing associations and media reports said.

- Agencies

Shigetoshi Kotari died on Friday and Hiromasa Urakawa on Saturday after being injured in their fights at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on 2 August, Japanese media said.

The boxers, who were both 28, had undergone operations for subdural haematoma, or bleeding inside the skull, the reports said. Their deaths are likely to renew questions about the dangers of boxing and repeated blows to the head.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the World Boxing Council (WBC) were among those to pay tribute. The WBO said: "We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time."