Sherif Lawal, a British fighter, passed away on Sunday night following his collapse in his professional debut bout in the UK.
According to match promoter Warren Boxing Management, Lawal was fighting his first major bout at the Harrow Leisure Centre, a suburb northwest of London, at the time of the event. In a social media statement, the business offered its sympathies to Lawal’s friends and family.
“Unfortunately during Sherif’s fight, he collapsed and despite the best efforts of the paramedics, he was later pronounced dead,” added the statement.
Lawal’s passing was also verified by the British Boxing Board of Control, which released a statement on Monday.
“The thoughts of all those involved in Boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time,” the board of directors stated.
Lawal was 29 years old.