April 9, 2002
TOKYO, JAPAN-Previously unbeaten Japanese #10 ranked flyweight prospect Yoshihiro Irei, 22, passed away of brain injuries this morning as he remained in a coma after his first defeat by a 6-round decision in Hachioji City on March 24.
Irei hit the deck in the closing seconds of the final session to be saved by the last gong, Irei, a university student from Okinawa, became unconscious to be urgently hospitalized and stayed there for 16 days. We, with our deepest sorrow, sincerely mourn the sad death of the young promising boxer, 8-1, 2 KOs, who had won a final of the national Novice King tourney to be ranked 10th of our ratings.
(4-9-02)