Australian boxing is in shock after the death of 19-2 local fighter Dwight Ritchie in a reported training accident in Melbourne.
Ritchie's promoter, Jake Ellis, confirmed the boxer's death on Saturday.
He last fought in August, losing to Tim Tszyu by unanimous decision for the IBF Australasian super welterweight title.
"It is with great sadness and shock I have to announce that the fighting cowboy Dwight Ritchie sadly passed away today doing what he loved," Ellis wrote.
"As Dwight's promoter and friend it's unbearable to accept the tragic news that's just surfaced.
"Dwight will always be remembered by the boxing fraternity as one of the brightest talents in Australia [whose] fighting style embodied exactly how he lived.
News Corp has reported that Ritchie, 27, was taking part in a sparring session with Michael Zerafa ahead of his re-match with former world champion Jeff Horn.
Ritchie reportedly took a punch to the body, went back to his corner, collapsed and could not be revived.
Ellis's Facebook post also linked to a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Ritchie's family.
Probably too early to expect anything official. Have read that Ritchie battled cancer as a young child. Also read an unsubstantiated claim there have been heart issues in his family. My initial thought was he might have been struck in the region of the heart, causing it to stop. Seems the most logical explanation in the absence of an official reason being released. But I probably shouldn't be guessing.
There is a sad irony here that Ritchie was scheduled to fight Tommy Browne, whose own brother Davey was killed in the ring with Tommy in his corner, only a few years back.
Wow, in a sparring session no less. Sad news, especially for a young man with 3 kids who now are without a dad and their mom having to deal with his loss and the financial strain of now raising the kids on her own.
The tragedy always runs much deeper than simply a boxer dying doing what he loved. It is the ripple effect, because there is more often than not a wife, children and of course a mother, father, probably brothers and sisters, friends etc, etc.
I also have to wonder how Ritchie's death seems to be being put down to the result of a body shot? Now it might well prove to be the case, but if it was a typical sparring session they had been engaged in both boys would likely have copped shots almost everywhere from the waste up.
Maybe a punch had nothing to do with it. Just physical activity itself could be the cause. Soccer players have died collapsing on the field from heart failure.
Reading this morning's paper, Ritchie took a big body shot late in the round, the bell went to end the round and Ritchie raised both his arms. He took a deep breath, perhaps struggling to breathe and sadly, it would be his last. An ambulance was called and the paramedics worked on him without success. An autopsy will be performed.
Another ripple affect of this tragedy is, assuming Michael Zerafa wants a postponement or even a cancellation of his next fight on December 18th, it may leave Jeff Horn in limbo well into next year? Perhaps this might even be the impetus for Jeff Horn retiring?
"There are simply no words to describe how I am feeling right now," Zerafa stated to Exclusive Insight. "Dwight was one of the most humble people I have ever met.
"We had known each other since we were teenagers, when we were just starting out in the sport. And for the past 10 years, Dwight and I had been supporting each other inside and outside of the ring.
"There had always been a professional and mutual respect between us. (Saturday) was an absolute tragedy, and as tough as it is right now for myself, I can only imagine how difficult the past 24 hours has been for Dwight's family.
"My heart bleeds for his three children and his beautiful partner. I have spoken to the family and given my deepest condolences. The boxing community has lost a truly great person and I have lost a mate."
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