London: Lawal was bowled by Portuguese opponent Malam Varela in the fourth round of the match at London’s Harrow Leisure Center on Sunday. The 29-year-old boxer received medical attention in the ring and was immediately hospitalized, but did not survive.
“Unfortunately, he collapsed during the Sheriff’s fight and despite the best efforts of the paramedics, he was later pronounced dead,” he said.
The British Boxing Board and Warren Boxing Management have sent their condolences to his family, friends, coaches and all relatives.
Heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury expressed his condolences to the Laval family.
“God rest his soul, poor old man. We all know the danger of entering the ring,” Tyson told the boxing scene.
In boxing, death in the ring is not uncommon. In 2019, American boxer Patrick Day fainted and suffered a brain injury in the 10th round of a fight in Chicago. Sun slipped into a coma after brain surgery and died.
In early 2019, the Russian Boxing Federation announced that Maxim Dadashev died after being injured in a fight in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Coach Buddy McGirt asked the referee to stop the match as Dadashev hit several shots in a row.
Dadashev was treated at UM Prince George’s Central Hospital with brain swelling and did not survive, the AP reported.