TOKYO Yoshihiro Irei, the 2001 Japanese Rookie Flyweight Boxer of the Year, died at a hospital here Tuesday from a brain hemorrhage he suffered in a match two weeks ago.

Irei, 22, who hailed from the subtropical Japanese island of Okinawa, was the 30th professional boxer to die from damage sustained in a match in Japan, the Japanese Boxing Commission said.

He collapsed and lost consciousness on his way to the dressing room after he was defeated by Yoshinori Naito in a six-round match in Tokyo on March 24, the commission said. He suffered a knockdown during the match, AFP reported.

Irei was immediately taken to a hospital and underwent surgery.

It was his first loss since he turned professional in June 2000. He had eight wins, two of them by knockout.