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Professional Boxer Passes Away Just Days After Winning Championship

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Dec 27, 2024 5:37 PM ET

One of the rising stars of boxing's cruiserweight division has tragically left us as Paul Bamba passed away. He was 35 years old.

In a statement from Bamba's family alongside singer and boxing manager Ne-Yo, they announced the passing of "a fierce yet confident competitor with an unrelenting ambition to achieve greatness." The family asked for privacy in their time of grief and mourning.

"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives," the Bamba family and Ne-Yo said in the statement.

"He was a fierce yet confident competitor with an unrelenting ambition to achieve greatness. But more than anything, he was a tremendous individual that inspired many with his exceptional drive and determination.

"We are heartbroken by his passing and kindly ask for privacy and understanding during this difficult time as we collectively navigate our grief."

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— NE-YO (@NeYoCompound) December 27, 2024

This past Saturday, Bamba knocked out Rogelio Medina Luna in a boxing match to be crowned the WBA Gold cruiserweight champion. It was the 19th win of his career and he followed it up by calling out YouTube star and fellow boxer Jake Paul to a fight.

Bamba fought a whopping 14 times in 2024 alone, winning all of them by way of knockout. He had three days this year where he fought twice.

Unfortunately, Bamba's chance to become a global name slipped through his grasp in 2022. He was slated to fight rising superstar Tommy Fury at the Floyd Mayweather vs. Deji Olatunji fight in Dubai. But when Fury showed up to the fight seven pounds above the weight limit, Bamba chose not to fight despite organizers allowing it to go on.

Bamba had been more than making up for the lost opportunities though. After losing his lone fight in 2023 to Chris Avila, he was back with a vengeance in 2024.

His final message on X was posted just two days ago: "You know they hate when you become more than they expect! #Bamba."

Our hearts go out to Bamba's family and loved ones.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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