29-year-old British boxer Sherif Lawal succumbed to injuries sustained during his first professional bout. The fatal incident occurred during a face-off with Portuguese opponent Malam Varela at The Harrow Center in London, England on Sunday, May 12, 2024. Immediately after his collapse, Lawal was rushed to Northwick Park Hospital, where he was formally pronounced dead.
The tragic turn of events happened in the fourth round of a planned six-round match. After being struck in the head, Lawal fell unconscious, prompting Referee Lee Every to stop the fight instantly. On-site medical personnel immediately administered CPR in an attempt to resuscitate him, working on him fruitlessly for 20 minutes
In the aftermath of the incident, the remaining bouts scheduled for the evening were called off. Those present at the scene described the mood as one of shock, emphasizing the infrequency of such tragic events in boxing despite the sport’s inherent dangers.
In the wake of Lawal’s death, numerous tributes were offered. Event promoter Costakis Evangelou expressed his condolences to Lawal’s family and acknowledged the challenging time for the boxing community. He also noted that the Boxing Board would conduct a comprehensive review of the incident.
Lawal, a boxer since 2018, had recently transitioned to professional boxing. CJ Hussein, head coach at St Pancras Club where Lawal trained, had previously lauded his remarkable talent. Hussein highlighted Lawal’s potential in the middleweight category and his role as an inspiration for upcoming boxers.
The club’s website profile of Lawal revealed his admiration for boxing legend Sugar Ray Robinson. It also highlighted the sense of community within the club, likening it to an extended family, thus reflecting the close bonds typically found within the boxing fraternity.
