TRAGEDY has hit the boxing world following the death of heavyweight boxer Ardi Ndembo.
Ndembo was left unconscious for several minutes after being brutally stopped by Nestor Santana in their Team Combat League clash in Florida earlier this month.
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He was immediately taken to a Miami hospital, where he was placed in a medically induced coma.
But the 27-year-old father of two tragically succumbed to his injuries.
A statement from the promotion read: “We at Viva Promotions mourn the loss of Ardi Ndembo, a talented Congolese boxer who tragically passed away following a knockout in a Team Combat League match on April 5th.
“He remained in a medically induced coma until his premature death.
“RIP Ardi Ndembo!”
Boxing fans were quick to pay tribute to the late Ndembo, with one writing on the X: “Prayers for his family. RIP to him. Salute.”
Another said: “Prayers to his family, team, close friends.”
And another said: “Condolences to his family, this is truly heartbreaking.”
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One commented: “Rest in peace brother.”
Another added: “Condolences to the family and friends of this young man, Ardi Ndembo. He was a gladiator.”
A fund raising began helping Ndembo’s family with funeral costs.
It is currently close to £9,000, £10,000 short of its target of £19,000.
WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney donated around £1,200 to the GoFundMe.
Team Combat League has pledged to match all donations up to £19k target.
Jeff Mayweather, uncle of boxing icon Floyd Mayweather, was ringside for the fatal fight.
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He told SunSport: “Boxing is a sport that you grow up watching and loving, but there are a lot of risks involved.
“Anyone can lose their life in boxing. When something like this happens, the whole world wakes up.
“I don’t think boxing is a bad sport because you can die in any sport.
“You drive a race car at 200 mph, if it slips, you will die too.
“You can die in any sport, but boxing is a brutal sport.”
TCL is a unique format where combatants in a squad fight for one or two rounds with points earned in each and added together to decide the winning team.
Ndembo was representing the Las Vegas Hustle when he was brutally knocked out by Miami Assassin’s Santana.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
