Puerto Rican skilled boxer Paul Bamba handed away this week, his household and supervisor, R&B singer Shaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith, confirmed in a joint assertion on Friday. He was 35.
“It’s with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, pal and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose mild and love touched numerous lives,” the assertion posted on Instagram learn.
“He was a fierce but assured competitor with an unrelenting ambition to attain greatness. However greater than something, he was an incredible person that impressed many along with his distinctive drive and willpower. We’re heartbroken by his passing and kindly ask for privateness and understanding throughout this troublesome time as we collectively navigate our grief.”
The information comes one week after Bamba gained the WBA Gold Cruiserweight title and broke Mike Tyson‘s document for essentially the most skilled fights in a single yr—14 fights, all knockouts.
Discover out extra beneath.
Who Was Paul Bamba?
Bamba was born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, and was not solely a boxer but in addition a Marine Corps veteran. His path to boxing started after he struggled with PTSD following a tour in Iraq and confronted homelessness. He fought his manner up the ranks, coaching at Morris Park Boxing Membership within the Bronx, and turned skilled in January 2021.
In a 2021 interview, Bamba credited the game for altering his life and giving him a way of goal.
“I grew up in foster houses and enlisted within the Marines once I was 17. After the Marines, I moved to New York Metropolis to construct a life and profession for myself. However discovering success within the metropolis, particularly beginning with nothing, generally is a problem. I used to be homeless twice in the course of the first few years, however finally discovered some footing on the earth of health and boxing. I began as a fighter and a coach at boxing gyms. A number of years later, I based Trifecta Sturdy LLC. I’ve been combating in numerous methods my total life.
Boxing has taught me to be a greater particular person. It has taught me which you could by no means be excellent at every little thing. Some stuff is all the time going to be a problem, however adaptability is extra necessary than perfection. If you happen to run into an issue, you’ll be able to’t simply hand over. It’s understanding that it’s a must to hold pushing ahead and on the similar time be OK with not realizing every little thing.”
Bamba’s victory over Rogelio Medina in New Jersey gave him a profession document of 19-3, with 18 knockouts—14 of which got here in 2024.
On the time of his passing, Bamba was residing in Atlanta and dealing as Ne-Yo’s private coach.
What Was Bamba’s Reason for Dying?
The reason for Bamba’s demise has not been revealed as of but. Nevertheless, some followers are speculating that it might have been as a consequence of a well being situation since one in every of Bamba’s fights earlier this yr was canceled as a consequence of an “unexpected medical situation,” Rising Star Promotions defined in an Instagram assertion in September 2024. The match was rescheduled to happen in October 2024 in New Jersey.
