BOXING fans have raised thousands for the family of a fighter who died in his first professional fight.
Middleweight Sherif Lawal, 29, collapsed in the ring after being knocked out by Portugal’s Malam Varela, 33, on Sunday night.
His sister Katherine has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for a funeral following his sudden death at Harrow Leisure Center in northwest London.
She wrote: “Sherifdeen passed away whilst playing the sport she loved and dedicated her life to.
“In addition to working to be a mental health nurse, he was also a dedicated mental health support worker.
“This fundraiser aims to raise funds for his funeral arrangements. Any support you can provide will be deeply appreciated.”
Last night more than £10,000 was raised towards their target of £15,000.
Flowers were left at his St Pancras Boxing Club in London, where trainer Claire Williams raised £2,600 for Sherif’s family through a separate GoFundMe page.
She wrote: “He went out doing what he loved, but it shouldn’t have been that way.”
She said Sherif was studying nursing at North Middlesex University.
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