UK
Sherif Lawal: UK-based boxer dies after being knocked down during professional debut
A boxer has died after being knocked down during his first professional fight in London.
Sherif Lawal was treated by paramedics at the scene after the referee ended Sunday’s bout in the fourth of a scheduled six rounds.
He was taken by ambulance to hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The UK-based boxer, 29, had lost the fight to Portuguese Malam Varela at Harrow Leisure Centre, in northwest London.
Warren Boxing Management said in an Instagram post that Lawal “collapsed” during the fight.
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Heavyweight Tyson Fury said: “God rest his soul. You go in there, you’re getting paid for danger.. We’re there to inflict damage on each other by punching each other to the head and body and unfortunately things like this happen now and again.”
The fight took place at Harrow Leisure Centre. Pic: Google
The British Boxing Board of Control issued a statement expressing its condolences to the middleweight boxer’s family.
“The thoughts of all those involved in boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time,” it said.
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The rest of the scheduled bouts at the Harrow event were cancelled after the announcement of Lawal’s death.