A BOXER has died after collapsing in his first professional fight as heartfelt tributes pour in.

Middleweight Sherif Lawal lost consciousness during the bout with Portuguese opponent Malam Varela at Harrow Leisure Centre in London yesterday after he was struck on the temple.

The 28-year-old, 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.

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

Eyewitness

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.

“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.”

‘A REAL INSPIRATION’

Heartfelt tributes have rolled in since the tragic news of Sherif’s death.

Writing on X, formerly Twitter, fellow boxer Denzel Bentley posted a ‘broken heart’ emoji and penned: “Went to a boxing show last night and a young man making his debut lost his life.”

Among the replies was fight YouTube channel The P4P Boxing Show, which wrote: “RIP Sherif Lawal.”

Sherif 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.”

A spokesman for the Met Police said it hadn’t been called to the venue over the incident.