British boxing star Willie Limond passed away this Monday, a week after he was found unconscious in his car. The reports suggested Limond, 45, had suffered a seizure while driving in Coatbridge, Glasgow. The former champion was soon rushed to the University Hospital Monklands, where he fought a prolonged battle with his critical condition for ten days, ultimately succumbing to it.

Notably, the British boxer, who gave Amir Khan his first knockdown was weeks away from his comeback fight against Joe Laws at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow on May 3. He held an impressive record of 42-6, winning the British super featherweight, super lightweight, and lightweight titles in his 23-year-long career. He also added the WBU lightweight and IBO Inter-Continental lightweight straps to his accolades. However, it was his fight with Amir Khan that became the highlight of his career.

A Long Journey from the Soccer Pitch to the Squared Circle

The year was 2007, and Limond was on a hot 10-fight win streak, having won the Commonwealth title in his previous bout. But it was surging, undefeated Khan who stood across him in the square circle. Limond sent him to the canvas in the seventh round, becoming the first boxer to do so. But Khan would stage a splendid comeback and finish the fight in the very next round. Bouncing back from losses, strongly, became a recurring theme in Limond’s career as he went on to collect 5 wins, only to be stopped by Erik Morales in 2010. He was never short on courage, even when he decided to come back from retirement at the age of  43.

Limond started out as a soccer player at 19 playing for Albion Rovers, a semi-professional soccer team from Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, in Scotland. However, he left the show in 1999 to try his luck at boxing. And as luck would have it, he became successful at it winning the first 18 fights consecutively.

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His courage has certainly found its way into his son, Jake, who followed in his father’s footsteps to become a boxer himself. After the tragic passing of his “warrior” father, Jake expressed his sorrow through an Instagram story. He declared, “Dad passed away in the early hours of the morning around 3am. He fought on for near enough 10 days. Warrior. Love you da.”

Limond’s slated next opponent, Laws, who was gutted by the development, also turned to his Instagram handle to express his shock at Limond’s passing. It was only in September that Limond announced his retirement after losing to Ricky Burns, only to make a return this year. However, Laws will never have that fight now. He acknowledged the efforts Limond was putting in to make life better for his family. He posted, “Everyone would have heard about the tragic news about my opponent Willie Limond. I am devastated, listen my old son. Wait for me at the pearly gates, we can get it on.” Laws has also started a GoFundMe to raise money for the former British champion’s family.

In a post, IFL TV broke the tragic news to the fans. They wrote, “Some really tragic news to bring you today… Former European, Commonwealth & British champion Willie Limond has sadly passed away after suffering a seizure last week. Our thoughts and condolences are with Willie’s family and close friends. Rest in peace champ.” The fans flooded the comment section and paid their respects.

Sadness grips the countless Willie Limond fans

One fan praised Limond for going toe to toe with the likes of Anthony Crolla and Morales. Out of his 6 defeats, 4 came against world-class fighters such as Khan, Crolla, Morales, and Burns. One fan, expressing their sadness, wrote, “So sad, RIP Willie Limond, a true warrior.” 

A fan, expressing his shock at the tragic news, exclaimed, “Horrible news. So bloody sad. RIP Willie.”

Similarly, a user extended their wishes to Limond’s family as they declared, “Rest in peace thoughts and prayers with u n family x.”

Another fan called Limond “amazing,” as markedly, Limond started his career as a soccer player, earning five caps for Albion Rovers in the late 1990s. They responded, “So so sad what an amazing guy , rest easy Willie.”

“Cracking guy and boxer RIP friend,” a boxing fan penned remembering the champion for his ever-smiling demeanor and warm nature.

One comment poignantly noted the double tragedy of Limond’s passing at 45 and the untimely demise of other young athletes. Boxing fans experienced a similar shock when boxer Kazuki Anaguchi died at the young age of 23 after sustaining a brain injury in a December fight. They reacted, “All these young athletes …”

The boxing ring has lost another bright star. A kind and talented champion, Willie Limond, will be remembered for years to come for both his courage and his exploits inside the boxing ring. We extend our wishes and respect to the Limond family in these trying times.