Fans of 29-year-old British boxer Sherif Lawal were looking forward to seeing the fighter make his professional debut this past weekend.

Yet according to Breitbart, those fans were left in shock when Lawal suddenly collapsed in the ring and later died. 

Boxer died in the fourth round of fight

A statement issued by the British Boxing Board of Control explained that Lawal's passing came on Sunday evening during a bout with Malam Varela.

"Sherif Lawal was knocked down by a blow to the head from Malam Varela in the fourth round of a scheduled six-round middleweight fight on Sunday at Harrow Leisure Centre," the statement read.

It went on to add that "[t[he referee waved it off to allow paramedics to attend to Lawal. He was taken to hospital but died."

Robert W. Smith serves as general secretary for the British Boxing Board of Control, and he said in a post on X that the organization's members send "their condolences to the family of  Sherifdeen Lawal following his tragic passing after his Boxing contest on Sunday 12th May 2024."

Smith further stressed that "[t]he thoughts of all those involved in Boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time."

No official cause of death has been revealed

Meanwhile, Warren Boxing management released a statement of its own on Instagram, writing, "Last night, Sherif Lawal was making his debut at a show at Harrow Leisure Centre, in which our boxer Courtney Bennett was scheduled to fight."

"Unfortunately during Sherif's fight, he collapsed and despite the best efforts of the paramedics, he was later pronounced dead," the management firm lamented.

"Warren Boxing Management would like to send our condolences to all of Sherif's family, friends, coaches and all those close to him at this tragic time," it concluded.

Breitbart noted how Lawal began boxing six years ago and that the official cause of his death has yet to be determined.

Fans posts tributes online

News of Lawal's passing was quickly met with tributes on social media from fans, including Boxing News editor Mark Butcher.

Such terribly sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sherif Lawal who passed away last night after his bout at Harrow Leisure Centre 🙏https://t.co/SqzFvj4Lu7

— Mark Butcher (@KOwriting) May 13, 2024

He wrote, "Such terribly sad news. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Sherif Lawal who passed away last night after his bout at Harrow Leisure Centre."