London Boxer Sherif Lawal, 29, Dies After Right Hook To His Temple During His First Professional Match
Sherif Lawal, a boxer from London, has died following his first professional match on Sunday.
He was 29.
Referee Lee Every intervened during the fourth round of the fight at Harrow Leisure Centre, calling off the match as the middleweight was knocked down by Portuguese opponent Malam Varela. TMZ reports Lawal was hit with a right hook to his temple that caused him to immediately collapse.
Lawal received immediate medical attention, including over 10 minutes of CPR, and was subsequently rushed to the hospital in an ambulance. He was later declared dead.
The British Boxing Board of Control shared their condolences to the Lawal family in a statement to The Independent on Monday.
"The British Boxing Board of Control sends their condolences to the family of Sherifdeen Lawal following his tragic passing after his Boxing contest on Sunday, 12th May 2024," they wrote. "The thoughts of all those involved in Boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time."
The British & Irish Boxing Authority (Biba) issued a statement sending their "sincere condolences to the family of Sherif Lawal, who sadly passed away after his contest with Malam Varela at the weekend. Our thoughts are with all concerned."
"Last night, Sherif Lawal was making his debut at a show at Harrow Leisure Centre, in which our boxer Courtney Bennett was scheduled to fight," Warren Boxing Management said in a statement.
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"Unfortunately during Sherif's fight, he collapsed and, despite the best efforts of the paramedics, he was later pronounced dead," the statement continued. "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 fight was the first of the evening. After the announcement of Lawal's death, the rest of the card was cancelled.
CJ Hussein, Lawal's boxing trainer, called him "a real inspiration to all the younger boxers at the gym" to the Camden New Journal.
