A boxer has died after losing his professional debut at Harrow Leisure Centre.

British-based boxer Sherif Lawal was knocked down by his Portuguese opponent Malam Varela on Sunday (May 12).

The 29-year-old went down in the fourth round of a scheduled six-round middleweight contest, and the bout was waved off by referee Lee Every.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics, before being transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The fight was the first of the evening and the announcement of Lawal’s death led to the cancellation of the rest of the card.

A British Boxing of Control spokesperson said: “The British Boxing Board of Control sends their condolences to the family of Sherifdeen Lawal following his tragic passing after his boxing contest on Sunday.

“The thoughts of all those involved in boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time.”

Reporting by PA.