In a tragic turn of events, British middleweight boxer Sherif Lawal, 29, died after collapsing during his professional debut on Sunday. The London-based boxer was knocked down by his opponent, Malam Varela, in the fourth round of a scheduled six-round bout at Harrow Leisure Centre.
Lawal's collapse came after a blow to the temple from Varela. Despite immediate medical attention from paramedics at the scene, Lawal was later pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The fight was the first on the card for the evening, and the announcement of Lawal's death led to the cancellation of the rest of the matches.
Warren Boxing Management, Lawal's agency, released a statement expressing their condolences. "Unfortunately during Sherif's fight, he collapsed and despite the best efforts of the paramedics, he was later pronounced dead," the statement read. "Warren Boxing Management would like to send our condolences to all of Sherif’s family, friends, coaches and all those close to him at this tragic time."
The British Boxing Board of Control also expressed their sorrow over the incident. "The thoughts of all those involved in Boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time," they stated.
The unfortunate reality of fatalities in the boxing ring is not a new phenomenon. In 2019, New York native Patrick Day passed away after sustaining injuries during a match in Chicago. Day was knocked unconscious during the 10th round of his bout, and he slipped into a coma following brain surgery, never regaining consciousness.
Charles Conwell, an Olympic boxer who Day was facing, expressed his grief in an open letter to Day and his loved ones while Day was in a coma. He said he "shedded so many tears because I couldn’t imagine how my family and friends would feel.
No additional details of Lawal’s death were disclosed. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with the sport of boxing.
More for you:
