Middleweight debutant Sherif Lawal passes away, aged 29

TRAGEDY struck yesterday evening (May 12) at Harrow Leisure Centre when middleweight Sherif Lawal lost his life.

In the opening contest on the card scheduled for six rounds, the 29-year-old fought Malam Valera.

During round four Lawal was on the canvas after Valera landed a right hand to the temple. Referee Lee Every began the count but could see Sherif was in distress and immediately waved the contest off. Trainer CJ Hussein tended to his boxer and was swiftly joined by the British Boxing Board’s ringside doctor and paramedics. Lawal was given CPR for 10-15 minutes. He was then taken by ambulance to Northwick Park Hospital, where, sadly, he was pronounced dead.

The MC for the night made the announcement that the show was to be cancelled which was respected by the crowd including a large number of Albanians who left the venue quietly after turning out to watch light-heavyweight Amarildo Bakaj and cruiserweight Roberto Bakaj.

Lawal had been a stalwart member of the St Pancras Amateur Boxing Club, competing at the top level in the National Elite championships last year.

In an article last month in the Camden New Journal Hussein described Lawal as a “real inspiration to all the younger boxers at the gym.”

Everyone at Boxing News would like to express their deepest sympathy and condolences to Sherif’s family and friends.