THESE are the heartbreaking pictures showing boxer Sherif Lawal as he makes his “last preparations” just hours before he died in his first professional bout.
Images posted on Instagram show the 29-year-old boxer working out with his trainer with the post captioned “last preparations done!”
The photos show the middleweight fighter looking focused as he gears up to take on Portuguese opponent Malam Varela at Harrow Leisure Centre in London yesterday.
The first few pictures show Lawal in blue shorts and a matching waterproof jacket as he appears to be warming up.
Later images in the series show him sparring with his coach while wearing multicoloured gloves and shorts along with a grey hoodie.
Fans have been flocking to the sportsman’s social media page to leave tributes.
One said: “Rest in peace big man. Thinking of you and all your family.”
A second wrote: “Rest in peace brother.”
While a third added: “An amazing boxer. Never forgotten.”
Lawal lost consciousness during the fight after he was struck on the temple.
Referee Lee Every began the knockout count but immediately called time after realising the extent of the 28-year-old’s condition on the canvas.
Lawal, of Islington, was treated in the ring by doctors before being rushed to nearby Northwick Park Hospital.
But he was tragically later pronounced dead despite the efforts of medics.
A witness said: “It’s unbelievably sad. This was his pro debut – he has died while chasing his dream.
“His fight was first on the card, but the event was cancelled and the remaining three fights scrapped after Sherif was taken to hospital. That tells you how serious it was.
“He was hurt at the end of round three. He then came out for the fourth and final round with his guard up, and took a right to the temple.
“He dropped to his haunches and the referee started a count to ten – but then stopped and waved it off because he could see Sherif was in a bad way.
“Doctors arrived and worked on him in the ring for about 20 minutes, including CPR and the use of a defibrillator.
“This was in front of a packed house, and everyone was in total shock.
“Sherif was then taken away on a stretcher before news came through later that he had passed away.
Rest in peace big man. Thinking of you and all your family
A fan's tribute to Sherif Lawal left on the boxer's Instagram page
“This is very rare. All care is taken to ensure the safety of fighters but in a sport like boxing these things occasionally happen. However, that doesn’t make it any less devastating.”
Costakis Evangelou, the promoter behind the Clash of the Titans event, told The Sun: “This was a tragic incident and my profound sympathies go out to Sherif’s family.
“It’s a difficult time for everyone involved in the boxing fraternity and we’re trying to absorb what’s happened. No one wants to see something like this in any sport.
“Sherif was a great boxer and man. It’s now in the hands of the Board and they’re going to assess the incident.”
Lawal had been boxing since 2018. He wrapped up his amateur career and announced he was turning professional earlier this year.
At the time, coach CJ Hussein, who also trained Tyson Fury‘s 2009 opponent John McDermott, said: “I think the pro game will suit Sherif down to a tee, he’s got all the talent to become a great middleweight.
“He’s a real inspiration to all the younger boxers at the gym.”
