Sherif Lawal was knocked down by Portuguese opponent Malam Varela in the fourth round of the match at the Harrow Leisure Center in London on Sunday. The 29-year-old boxer received medical care in the ring and was hospitalized immediately but did not survive, as reported.
“Unfortunately during Sherif’s fight, he collapsed and despite the best efforts of the paramedics, he was later pronounced dead,” Warren Boxing Management, the company representing Lawal, said in a statement.
Afterwards, the British Boxing Board of Control and Warren Boxing Management extended their condolences to his family, friends, coach, and all relatives.
Heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury also expressed his condolences to Lawal’s family.
“God rest his soul, poor old fella. We all know the dangers of getting in the ring,” Tyson told.
Deaths in the ring are unfortunately not uncommon in boxing. In 2019, American boxer Patrick Day was knocked unconscious in the 10th round of a match in Chicago and suffered a brain injury.
Day fell into a coma after brain surgery and tragically passed away.
Similarly, in early 2019, the Russian Boxing Federation announced the passing of Maxim Dadashev after he sustained injuries in a match in Oxon Hill, Maryland.
Coach Buddy McGirt made the difficult decision to stop the match when Dadashev endured numerous consecutive blows.
According to AP, Dadashev was admitted to UM Prince George’s Hospital Center with a swollen brain and, sadly, did not survive.
