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, good friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose gentle 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 amazing person who impressed many along with his distinctive drive and dedication. 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 received 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 under.
Who Was Paul Bamba?
Bamba was born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, and was not solely a boxer but additionally 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 means 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 objective.
“I grew up in foster properties and enlisted within the Marines after 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 throughout the first few years, however ultimately discovered some footing on the earth of health and boxing. I began as a fighter and a coach at boxing gyms. Just a few years later, I based Trifecta Sturdy LLC. I’ve been combating in varied methods my complete life.
Boxing has taught me to be a greater particular person. It has taught me that you would be able to by no means be excellent at every little thing. Some stuff is at all times going to be a problem, however adaptability is extra necessary than perfection. In case you run into an issue, you may’t simply hand over. It’s understanding that it’s important to preserve pushing ahead and on the identical time be OK with not understanding 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 Demise?
The reason for Bamba’s demise has not been revealed as of but. Nevertheless, some followers are speculating that it might have been resulting from a well being subject since considered one of Bamba’s fights earlier this yr was canceled resulting from an “unexpected medical subject,” Rising Star Promotions defined in an Instagram assertion in September 2024. The match was rescheduled to happen in October 2024 in New Jersey.
