By Ray Wheatley – World of Boxing
Very sad news. IBF #9 light middleweight Dwight Ritchie has died after collapsing during a sparring session with WBA #8 middleweight Michael Zerafa on Saturday in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
“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 said. “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.”
Dwight Ritchie who had a 19-2 record and fought ten tough rounds with IBF#8 Tim Tszyu in August, was 27 years old.
Died after a sparring session? We’re they bare-knuckle sparring or something?whatever the case it doesn’t seem like they were taking the necessary precautions for a sparring session. RIP Dwight Ritchie and condolences to his family.
You’re less likely to suffer the kind of brain damage that could result in something like this happening from bare knuckle. You can’t hit someone in the head with the same force as you can with gloves on. Bare knuckle is more likely to lead to cuts. Also, when something tragic like this happens, it’s often from accumulation of punishment over long periods of time.
Chris you shouldn’t assume something so tragic mate unless you witness it with your own eyes!! R.I.P Dwight and condolences to his family.
Michael Zerafa should just back out of this Jeff Horn fight, after this. He can go inactive until March or April next year, fight some journeyman, and then see if Andrade or Murata will give him a shot by the summer of 2020. Is team Horn going to go after Zerafa for not wanting to fight in 2019 after this incident? Forget Horn, he is trying to avenge something after such a terrible showing last time (and making Zerafa come to Horn’s hometown). After this incident, you probably aren’t going to get Zerafa in the right state of mind. Let Horn get a journeyman to fight him on the comeback trail in December, or give Mundine the rematch at 160. It seems like any fighter in a sparring match watching a guy die in the gym in front of them, that is probably worse than hearing that a guy you fought died in the hospital later.
Delicate situation and tough test for Zerafa.
My condolences to Dwight’s family.
R.I.P champ.
What a sad news.
Especially in this controversial period for our sport. I can’t believe… How is it possible in a sparring session?
RIP champ.
This is terrible ’cause during matches we could do something, but sparring would be out of control.
We need autopsy report. We need more info… We need to understand better. This must not happen again.