Puerto Rican boxer tragically dies less than 7 days after winning World cruiserweight title
WBA Gold Cruiserweight boxer Paul Bamba, who broke Mike Tyson's 38-year record, dies six days after 14th fight and 14th KO of 2024.
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Paul Bamba, who broke a 12-month span record, passes 6 days after WBA Gold Cruiserweight win (Source: IG)
Boxer Paul Bamba has died at the age of 35. His manager and close associate Ne-Yo announced the news on Friday. The Puerto Rican boxer’s passing comes less than a week after he fought his last fight, He defeated Rogelio Medina to become WBA Gold Cruiserweight Champion.
American singer Ne-Yo, aka Shaffer Chimere Smith (© 2024, Ne-Yo), had signed Paul Bamba to his new management in November. Ne-Yo confirmed the news in a joint statement with Bamba’s family on socials. No cause of death has yet been announced for Bamba, The Sun newspaper reports.
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.
Joint statement from Shaffer Chimere Smith ‘Ne-Yo’ and family read on Instagram (@neyo)
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.
He had only three skids in his pro boxing career and won all 14 of his fights in 2024 by knockout; a daring and long feat. Including his world title win over the Mexican fighter Medina, this 21st December in New Jersey. In doing so, Bamba broke consensus heavyweight icon Mike Tyson‘s record for most pro fights in a span of one year.
Boxer Paul Bamba has died at the age of 35, his manager Ne-Yo announced on Friday.
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) December 28, 2024
The Puerto Rican fighter's death comes less than a week after his last fight, a victory against Rogelio Medina that saw him crowned WBA Gold Cruiserweight champion. https://t.co/3OqzSo5Hra
In his sweet span in the sweet sciences, Bamba had caught on some attention and hearts. Many closed ones are now rocked to the core for it. Ne-Yo has two tours coming up in Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC, and Lenovo Center – Raleigh, NC at the end of January. This could be a likely inducement to commemorate the boxer in some way during or after the tours. Meanwhile, another Paul has caught on to this matter.
Jake Paul, once on the sights of Paul Bamba, replies on the matter
A Puerto Rican and Marine Corps veteran, Bamba battled his way up after turning pro in January 2021. By defeating Medina, Paul Bamba improved his record to 19-3. But he didn’t stop there and had a long way to go in the coming years.
Right after his WBA Gold Cruiserweight titular win, he told Bloody Elbow that he wanted to fight Jake Paul. While some adhere to the more classical rulesets of boxing and shed ‘El Gallo De Dorado’ and his crossover culture, Bamba did not. He wanted all the heat.
Already a WBA Gold Cruiserweight champ, he thus poked the Paul bear saying ‘Problem Child’ always says he wanted to be world champion so he might as well start somewhere. Now pro-pugilist and global sensation Jake Paul, challenged by Bamba, posted on X: “RIP Paul Bamba“.
RIP Paul Bamba https://t.co/ovu7egrGHn
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) December 28, 2024
He was also a big up-and-coming hash for November 2022 for Tommy Fury, brother of ex-WBC lineal Tyson Fury. But it didn’t happen due to contractual hydration limit disagreements.
It is always disheartening when boxing staples, past or present, are subject to death or mishap. Paul Bamba’s passing resonated through many in the boxing clique as they took to socials to write on it. A handful of pro boxers and analysts also chimed in on the boxer.
Bamba put in the work all through this year, fighting every month but September. Thus eternally etching his name amongst the WBA Gold Cruiserweight ranks.
Related: Top 10 boxers of the 21st century
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