British middleweight boxer Sherif Lawal has tragically passed away after collapsing in the ring during his professional debut on Sunday.
During a six-round match, Lawal was defeated by his Portuguese opponent, Malam Varela, in the fourth round, leading referee Lee Every to halt the contest. Paramedics at the venue provided immediate assistance to Lawal before he was rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance. Sadly, the 29-year-old succumbed to his injuries.
The rest of the evening’s bouts, promoted as Clash of the Titans, were canceled.
Warren Management released a statement about the tragic bout. “Unfortunately during Sherif’s fight, he collapsed and despite the best efforts of the paramedics, he was later pronounced dead,” they wrote.
“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,” they added alongside an image of Lawal making his way to the ring.
Fight Fans Mourn the Loss of Boxer Sherif Lawal
Fight fans flooded the comments of the Instagram post to pay tribute to the fallen fighter. “I am so sorry to hear this. Such Talent. Condolences to Sherif’s family & friends,” one fan wrote. “Rest in peace champ,’ a second fan added. “Absolutely heartbreaking, praying for his friends and family, so so tragic,” a third Instagram follower wrote.
Costakis Evangelou, the organizer of the Clash of the Titans event, shared his insights on the tragic incident that occurred in the ring.
“This was a tragic incident and my profound sympathies go out to Sherif’s family,” Evangelou told The Sun.
“It’s a difficult time for everyone involved in the boxing fraternity and we’re trying to absorb what’s happened. No one wants to see something like this in any sport,” he continued.
“Sherif was a great boxer and man. It’s now in the hands of the Board and they’re going to assess the incident.”
Since 2018, Lawal has dedicated himself to boxing. He decided to move up from the amateur level to professional status earlier this year.
From 1890 to 2011, an estimated 1,604 boxers lost their lives due to injuries sustained in the ring, according to a study conducted by Manuel Velazquez. This translates to an average of 13 deaths annually.
During the 1920s, the number of fatalities related to boxing reached a peak of 233, whereas in the 2000s, this figure significantly decreased to 103.
The number of fatalities in boxing decreased significantly after the death of Duk-Koo Kim, who passed away in 1983 following a match with Ray Mancini. Championship fights were shortened from 15 to 12 rounds to reduce the risk of long-term head injuries from exhaustion.