This archive report was first published on 12 November 2019.
Australian boxing has been left reeling after the tragic death of former middleweight champion Dwight Ritchie, who died on November 9, 2019, after being punched in the stomach during a training session with fellow boxer Michael Zerafa in Melbourne.
Ritchie, 27, was helping Zerafa train ahead of his upcoming rematch with Jeff Horn when the incident occurred.
According to reports, Ritchie was hit with a body shot and walked back to his corner before collapsing and passing away, despite efforts to resuscitate him.
His promoter Jake Ellis took to social media to announce the tragic news, saying: "It is with great sadness and shock to announce that 'The Fighting Cowboy' Dwight Ritchie sadly passed away today doing what he loved."
Ellis added: "Dwight will always be remembered by the boxing fraternity as one of the brightest talents in Australia whose fighting style embodied exactly how he lived. RIP Cowboy, you’ll be forever missed."
Ritchie's death comes just a month after American boxer Patrick Day died from a brain injury sustained in a fight against Charles Conwell.
