OBITUARY
Tragedy on the ring as two boxers die from Brain Injuries

Japanese boxing is in mourning after two fighters died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same bill at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.
Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after a 12-round draw against OPBF junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on August 2 and died on Friday following surgery for a subdural haematoma.
A day later, 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa died from the same injury after being knocked out by Yoji Saito. He had undergone a craniotomy in a bid to save his life.
The Japanese Boxing Commission has responded by reducing all OPBF title fights from 12 to 10 rounds.
The tragedies follow the death of Irish boxer John Cooney earlier this year from similar injuries sustained in the ring.
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OBITUARY
Italia ’90 World Cup winner dies

Former West Germany striker and World Cup winner Frank Mill has died aged 67, the German FA (DFB) said on Tuesday.
The Borussia Dortmund and Borussia Moenchengladbach player was part of the West Germany squad at the 1990 World Cup in Italy, where they lifted the trophy after a 1-0 victory over defending champions Argentina in the final.
German media said Mill suffered a heart attack in May shortly after getting in a taxi in Milan. He was later flown back to Germany but never recovered.
Born in Essen, Mill earned 17 caps and was part of his country’s squad that claimed bronze at the 1988 Olympic Games.
“We mourn the loss of Frank Mill, our 1990 world champion,” the DFB said in a statement. “Rest in peace, Frank. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Reuters
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OBITUARY
Football World Mourns Tragic Death of 10-Year-Old Nigerian-British Charlton Starlet, Ethan Ade-Oduwale

The global football community is in mourning following the devastating news of the sudden death of Charlton Athletic academy player Ethan Ade-Oduwale, a 10-year-old starlet of Nigerian parentage.
Charlton Athletic confirmed the heartbreaking development in an emotional statement on Tuesday, describing Ethan as a “cherished” and “shining example” within their Under-10s academy team.
“We are devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Ethan Ade-Oduwale, a cherished member of our academy’s U10s team. Rest in peace, Ethan,” the Championship club posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Further tributes poured in from the club’s website, painting a moving portrait of a boy who embodied the spirit of the game with his joy, commitment, and team spirit.
“Ethan’s smile, energy and enthusiasm for football will always be remembered by his teammates and the staff within the academy. From the moment he stepped onto a football pitch at Sparrows Lane, his desire to succeed spread across every session… He will be sorely missed by all,” the club wrote.
Charlton’s Academy Manager, Tom Pell, expressed deep sorrow over the young talent’s passing, sending condolences to Ethan’s parents, Adeola and Esther, and the wider family.
“Everyone within Charlton Athletic’s academy is absolutely devastated. Ethan’s beaming smile will never be forgotten,” he said, adding that the academy would, in due course, announce further plans to honour his memory.
Charlton Chairman Gavin Carter also extended the club’s sympathies. “On behalf of everyone at Charlton Athletic, we are devastated by the heartbreaking news of Ethan’s passing. Our thoughts, heartfelt condolences, and full support are with Ethan’s parents and family,” he said.
A minute’s silence was scheduled to be observed before Charlton’s Boys’ Junior Section match against Co. Londonderry on Tuesday night as a mark of respect.
The sad news has sparked an outpouring of tributes from across English football. Former Premier League club Ipswich Town said, “The thoughts of everyone at Ipswich Town are with Ethan’s family and friends,” while League One sides Northampton Town and Port Vale also posted touching condolences.
As the football community comes to terms with the painful loss, the cause of Ethan’s death remains undisclosed.
Ethan Ade-Oduwale, remembered as a beacon of joy, passion, and promise, leaves behind an enduring legacy in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.
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OBITUARY
Former world champion boxer Dwight Muhammad Qawi dies at 72

Former two-division world champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi, a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, has died at age 72.
His sister, Wanda King, said Qawi died on Friday after a five-year battle with dementia.
“He was a great father, a great Pop-Pop to his grandchildren,” King told BoxingScene. “He had a heart of gold, and he fought his dementia illness just like he was fighting in the ring.”
Qawi, who was born Dwight Braxton in Baltimore, was raised in Camden, N.J., and learned to box at Rahway State Prison while sentenced for armed robbery and turned professional after his release in 1978.
He won world titles at light heavyweight and cruiserweight, though he was small for those divisions at 5-foot-7. The powerfully-built Qawi — he legally changed his name after converting to Islam in 1982 — defeated 175-pound champion Matthew Saad Muhammad on a 10th-round stoppage for the WBC light heavyweight crown in December 1981. Qawi won the rematch in six rounds in August 1982.
Nicknamed “The Camden Buzzsaw,” Qawi lost to WBA champion Michael Spinks in a unification bout in March 1983 and moved up to cruiserweight, defeating champion Piet Crous in July 1985
Evander Holyfield took his belt in a 15-rounder by split decision in July 1986, regarded as one of the greatest cruiserweight fights of all time. Holyfield won the rematch in December 1987, and Qawi moved up to heavyweight, where he lost to George Foreman in March 1988.
Qawi fought his last bout in 1998 and retired at age 46, finishing with a record of 41-11-1 with 25 knockouts. The International Boxing Hall of Fame inducted him in 2004.
He trained boxers and was a youth advocate and drug and alcohol counsellor in New Jersey after his fighting days ended.
“He went out like a champ,” King told BoxingScene, “right to the end.
-Reuters
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