Cancer survivor, father of three dies after boxing training session goes wrong
Boxing
By
Mirror
| Nov 12, 2019
Australian boxer Dwight Ritchie has died aged 27 after a freak accident during a sparring session.
'The Fighting Cowboy' was helping light-middleweight star Michael Zerafa prepare for his rematch with Australian legend Jeff Horn.
But during a regulation sparring session with Zerafa, Ritchie took a body punch before he walked back to his corner and collapsed, according to The Daily Telegraph.
The dad of three daughters could not be revived.
"It is with great sadness and shock to announce that 'the fighting cowboy' Dwight Ritchie sadly passed away today doing what he loved," promoter and friend Jake Ellis wrote on Facebook on Saturday.
READ MORE
Why AFC must sing a new song as they seek to restore lost glory
Why nostalgia is a dangerous thing at AFC Leopards
Why Ingwe want to make 60 anniversary memorable
AFC Leopards 60: President Ruto urges Ingwe to adopt corporate model
AFC usher 60th anniversary celebrations in style
Man wants court to scrap mandatory retirement age of 60
How has Kenya changed in 60 years
British colonial plan to wipe out Kenyans that came a cropper
Jamhuri and sale of false hope
There is much to be hopeful for despite wasted opportunities
"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 who’s fighting style embodied exactly how he lived.
"RIP Cowboy, you’ll be forever missed."
Fellow boxer Luke Jackson said: "Today we lost one of our own.
"I remember having my professional debut on Dwight’s card. Sending my love to his family, loved ones and the whole of boxing Australia RIP Dwight Ritchie."
Australian commentator Ben Damon added on Twitter: “Confirming the heartbreaking news that Australian boxer Dwight Ritchie has today passed away after a freak training accident. He was 27. RIP Cowboy.”
Ritchie had 21 professional fights and boasted a record of 19 victories, of which two came by knock out, and two defeats.
His most recent fight, in August, saw him miss out on the IBF Australasian Super Welter Title in a unanimous decision to Tim Tszyu.
Tszyu posted on Facebook: "Today we lost a champion both in and out of the ring with the tragic passing of Dwight Ritchie. As a group we are all shattered, our thought and prayers go out to the Ritchie family as we all take a moment to remember a great warrior and champion. Gone too soon."
Ritchie twice survived cancer as baby - having fought the disease aged six months and again at 18 months.
"I can’t imagine the pain that my mother and nan went through with all the back and forth trips to doctors in Melbourne. Thankfully, since then there has been no signs of it returning," Ritchie told AthletesVoice in August.