The Australian boxing community is in shock as it mourns the sudden death of young talent Dwight Ritchie.
The Daily Telegraph first reported the 27-year-old collapsed during a sparring session with Michael Zerafa, who is set to face Jeff Horn in a rematch in December.
The rising super-welterweight reportedly took a body shot during the training bout, and after arriving back to his corner collapsed and devastatingly could not be revived.
Ritchie most recently faced fellow rising star Tim Tszyu during the IBF Australasian super welterweight title fight in August, which was just his second-ever professional loss in 21 fights.
Ritchie was preparing for a bout on the undercard of the Tszyu-Jack Brubaker fight on December 6th, where he was set to face off against Tommy Browne.
His promoter Jake Ellis confirmed the terrible news on Facebook on Saturday.
It is with great sadness and shock to announce that the fighting cowboy Dwight Ritchie sadly passed away today doing what he loved,the Facebook post wrote.
As Dwight’s promoter and friend it’s unbearable to accept the tragic news that’s just surfaced.
Dwight will always be remembered by the boxing fraternity as one of the brightest talents in Australia who’s fighting style embodied exactly how he lived.
RIP Cowboy you’ll be forever missed
Tributes came flooding in for the very popular member of the Australia boxing community.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Ritchie, who leaves behind three kids.