Talented Australian boxer Dwight Ritchie has passed away following a training accident earlier today, his promoter, Jack Ellis confirmed on Saturday.
“It is with great sadness and shock to announce that the fighting cowboy Dwight Ritchie sadly passed away today doing what he loved,” Ellis wrote on a Facebook post today.
“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 who’s fighting style embodied exactly how he lived.”
It was reported by The Daily Telegraph that Ritchie was sparring with Michael Zarafa, assisting him in preparing for his December rematch against Jeff Horn, when he took a shot to the body. The 27-year-old went back to his corner, collapsed and sadly was unable to be revived.
Ritchie fought back in August, where he lost for just the second time in his professional career, to the undefeated Tim Tszyu.
The Victorian-born boxer’s record was 19-2.
A GoFundMe campaign has been started to raise money for Ritchie’s family.
