Sherif Lawal, a 29-year-old British boxer, passed away following his first professional fight when he collapsed in the ring. He was matched against Portuguese boxer, Malam Varela, at The Harrow Center in London, England on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Following his collapse, Lawal was rushed to Northwick Park Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
During the fourth round of the scheduled six-round match, Lawal was struck in the temple and fell to the canvas. Referee Lee Every stopped the fight upon seeing the severity of Lawal’s condition. On-site medical personnel swiftly administered CPR in an attempt to resuscitate him.
The tragic incident resulted in the cancellation of the remaining bouts scheduled for the night. Bystanders expressed their shock, highlighting the unusual nature of such events in boxing, despite the inherent risks associated with the sport.
In the wake of Lawal’s death, the boxing community has expressed its condolences. Costakis Evangelou, who organized the Clash of the Titans event, extended his sympathies to Lawal’s family. He recognized the challenging time for those involved in the sport and stated that the Boxing Board would conduct a review of the incident.
Lawal, who began his boxing career in 2018, had recently transitioned to professional boxing. Prior to turning pro, he received high praise from CJ Hussein, the head coach at St Pancras Club. Hussein recognized Lawal’s exceptional talent and potential in the middleweight category and referred to him as an inspiration for younger boxers.
According to his profile on his club’s website, Lawal admired boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson. The site also referred to the club as being like an extended family, which highlights the deep sense of community within the boxing world.
