UK-based boxer dies after being knocked down during professional debut

A UK-based boxer Sherif Lawal has died on Sunday night 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.

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.

The rest of the scheduled bouts at the Harrow event were cancelled after the announcement of Lawal’s death.