Boxing world shocked: former British champion Willie Limond dies at the age of 45

Tragedy in the boxing world as former British champion Willie Limond has died, according to Sky News and the BBC.

Limond was only 45 years old and reportedly became ill in April, in the run-up to a fight in May.

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The BBC reports that he "was found in an unresponsive state in a car in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire, on 6 April and was taken to Monklands Hospital, where he died."

His son Jake revealed the news to the world on Instagram on Monday 15 April: "My dad passed away in the early hours of the morning around 3am. He fought on for near enough 10 days. Warrior."

Limond built himself a great boxing career, being crowned British and Commonwealth light-welterweight champion, among other achievements, according to the BBC.

In total, the Scotsman fought 48 professional fights from 1999 to 2023, 42 of which he won, 13 by KO.

"It's a terrible day for Scottish sport," fellow boxer Josh Taylor said to BBC Scotland. "The man in general was a larger-than-life character. He was always funny. He was one of life's good guys."

"It's such a tragic, tragic loss. Scotland's lost one of its favourite sons, especially in boxing. It's a huge loss," Taylor added.

Remarkably, Limond started his sports career as a footballer at Albion Rovers F.C., for which he earned five appearances in the late 90s.

He then began boxing professionally until he retired after a fight in September 2023, but was due to fight again in May this year against Joe Laws in Glasgow's Emirates Arena.

According to the BBC, Limond could take credit for being the first boxer to give former champion Amir Khan a tough fight. They fought for the Commonwealth lightweight title in 2007, but Limond had to withdraw due to a broken jaw.

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