March 26, 2002
TOKYO, JAPAN-Previously unbeaten Japanese #10 ranked flyweight prospect Yoshihiro Irei, 22, fell in a coma after he got knocked down in the 6th and final round, losing a unanimous decision to Yoshinori Naito underneath the Japanese middle title bout in Hachioji on Sunday.
After his first defeat Irei became so unconscious as to be immediately hospitalized to undergo an examination, which found he had suffered brain hemorrhage. He underwent a brain operation, but still stays in a coma.
Irei, born in Okinwa, entered a university in Hachioji City, where he began to learn how to box at Hachioji Nakaya Gym. Irei, now 8-1, 2 KOs, went to win in a final of the national Novice King tourney competed by all 4-round boxers with the winner in every class to be entitled to be ranked #10 in the Japanese ratings.
We hope he will recover and regain his consciousness.
(3-26-02)