Boxing

TRIBUTES have flooded in for Willie Limond after succumbing to his condition following a suspected seizure.Willie, 45, was found unresponsive in his car last Saturday morning in Coatbridge.The boxer was due to fight Geordie scrapper Joe Laws in a comeback bout in Glasgow next month.That bout was being promoted by St Andrew’s Sporting Club and they announced the sad news of Limond’s death on their social media channels.Read our live blog below for the latest news and updates…Son announces passing on social media
His son Jake announced his passing on social media.
He wrote: “Dad passed away in the early hours of the morning.
“He fought on for near enough 10 days. Warrior.
Tributes have flooded in from the popular fighter since his death was announced.
Copy linkCopiedWhat titles did Willie win?
He held the British super-featherweight, super-lightweight and lightweight titles.
He also held the Commonwealth light-welterweight, WBU lightweight and IBO Inter-Continental lightweight titles.
Copy linkCopiedWho was boxer Willie Limond and how old was he?
Willie was a 45-year-old Scottish boxer.
Before boxing, he started as a footballer and made five league appearances for Albion Rovers in the 1998-99 season.
It was in 1999 when his boxing career began with a win over journeyman Lenny Hodgkins.
Copy linkCopiedWillie announced his retirement after Ricky Burns fight
Willie had initially announced his retirement in the aftermath of losing to fellow veteran Ricky Burns in September.
But after a U-turn, he told how he had changed his eating and drinking habits.
He explained: “After I lost to Ricky I changed my diet and the results have been a pleasant surprise.
“For well over 20 years prior to that I didn’t have a full night’s rest ? I was getting by on three hours a night at best.
“However, ever since I made the changes things have been so much better. I cut out sugar and processed food.
“But I sleep for six hours every night now, and wake up feeling as energetic as a Duracell bunny.”
Copy linkCopiedWhat have the police said?
Police Scotland had confirmed: “Around 8.05am on Saturday, police were called to a report of a 45-year-old man found unresponsive within a car in Coatbridge.
“The man was taken to Monklands Hospital where medical staff describe his condition as critical.
“Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”
Copy linkCopiedWillie’s fight against Khan
Arguably his high profile fight was with the undefeated rising superstar, and Olympic medallist, Amir Khan at London’s O2 Arena in 2007.
Although Khan ultimately prevailed, Limond gave him a real fright, becoming the first man to send Khan to the canvas in a professional fight.
Copy linkCopied’A great fighter and a great man’
Former British champion Curtis Woodhouse, who Limond defeated for the title in 2014, said he was ‘gutted’.
He said: “Absolutely devastated to hear the news of the passing of Willie Limond, a great fighter and a great man.
“We stayed in touch after our fight and always had a laugh together. Absolutely gutted. Rest In Peace champ.”
Copy linkCopiedTributes flood in
Fellow Scots fighter and long term pal Alex Arthur said: “I met this funny hyper Glaswegian lad when I was 13 yrs old, when I saw him box I was blown away at how good he was.
“We went on to become very good friends & of course ended up fighting each other! It only made us closer friends!
“Love you Willie ma man.”
Copy linkCopiedGoFunfMe set up for Willie Limond
Willie’s upcoming opponent Joe Laws has set up a GoFundMe page following the tragic news.
Joe said he was “absolutely devastated” following the news and wanted to “make a better life for (Willie’s) his family” by setting up the GoFundMe.
So far £800 has been raised of the £10,000 target.

Copy linkCopiedWillie’s son pays tribute
Jake, 20, who was due to fight on the same bill as his dad, posted on Instagram: “My dad passed away in the early hours of the morning around 3am.
“He fought on for near enough ten days. Warrior. Love you da.”
Copy linkCopiedHow was Willie’s death announced?
St Andrew’s Sporting Club announced the sad news of Limond’s death on their social media channels.
They said: “Everyone at St Andrew’s Sporting Club are shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of our friend, Willie Limond. Willie was not only a legend of the sport, but an infectious character who will be greatly missed by us all.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Jake, Drew, Macy and the rest of the Limond family at this time.”
Everyone at St Andrew’s Sporting Club are shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of our friend, Willie Limond. Willie was not only a legend of the sport, but an infectious character who will be greatly missed by us all. pic.twitter.com/nTKdxh1gOW— St Andrew’s S.C (@StAndrewsSC) April 15, 2024

Copy linkCopiedWhen did the boxer die?
The ring king, 45, was found unresponsive in his car last Saturday morning in Coatbridge.
He was rushed to University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie where he remained in a critical condition until passing away.
Copy linkCopiedWillie Limond dead aged 45
Willie Limond has tragically died just weeks before his return to the sport.
The ring king, 45, was found unresponsive in his car last Saturday morning in Coatbridge.

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CHARLIE EDWARDS put himself right back into world title contention with a superb win over Georges Ory at York Hall.Returning to the ring for the first time in almost a year, Edwards looked sharp and slick, eventually winning 98-92 on all three judge’s scorecards.The first couple of rounds in the fight were cagey, but eventually Edwards showed his class – showing off incredible speed and fancy footwork to tick off winning rounds.The win lands the former flyweight world champion the WBC International silver bantamweight title, with Edwards stating: “The gold rush is on.”
Main event start time: 10.15pm BST
TV channel: Channel 5
FREE live stream: My5
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFollow our live blog below…Fetti wins 40-36
Great debut for Christian Fetti who is handed a genuine test on his pro bow.
A live opponent and a threat to his future.
Fetti pushed the pace and chased a KO but he also had to defend and take digs.
The perfect start.
Copy linkCopiedFetti vs Quezada R4
Smart defensive work from Fetti who rolls a hook and lands one of his own to the Quezada body.
But the final 30 seconds is a shootout.
Both men throw bombs and stand up to them before the bell stops the slugging.
All over, the referee will score Fetti a win.
Copy linkCopiedFetti vs Quezada R3
Fetti lands a right that bumps Quezada back onto the ropes but he rebounds and gets stuck deeper in.
The Spain-based journeyman remains a threat and will not want to be stopped.
If Fetti steams in too much, he’s at risk of getting whacked on his debut.
Copy linkCopiedFetti vs Quezada R2
Conor Benn and Joe Cordina are ringside to support Fetti, who has sparred them both in Essex.
Fetti gets greedy and takes a couple of blows but it’s good to prove your chin early.
Quezada eats a right hand but launches a body attack in reply that the bell halts.
Copy linkCopiedFetti vs Quezada R1
Christian Fetti is making his debut.
The St Albans talent has sold a bundle of tickets for York Hall.
His fans are treated to a big right-hand start.
But Quezada is tough and respected and will not want to be stopped by a novice.
Hr throws back when he is hurt and makes it to the bell.
Copy linkCopiedWelland wins 59-54
The Brit gets the ref’s decision to move to 4-0.
That was a major step-up and a high-risk fight.
But aTOMic Welland stood up and delivered over game Marvin Solano.
Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Solano – R6
Violent end to the brilliant learning fight.
Solano looks shattered but never stops slinging.
Welland looks totally in charge but then at risk in the exchanges.
Perfect matchmaking and great fight for the 19-year-old prospect.
Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Solano – R5
Solano slowly breaking down and he loses a point for getting Welland in a headlock.
Uppercut from the Englishman lands but Solano hurls out hooks rather than blocks or parries.
All of Welland’s punches are landing but Solano is still trying to trade and win.
Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Solano – R4
Solano is showboating a lot for a man leaking blood out of his battered nose.
But 19-year-old Welland is learning so much from this experience.
Solano doesn’t have it in him to get on his bike and survive, he will trade until the end.
Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Solano – R3
Solano buzzed by a perfect left hook, his legs stiffen.
Welland smells blood and pushes the pace again.
And Solano’s nose starts leaking the red stuff.
Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Solano – R2
Peach of a Welland right hand lands early in the session.
But Solano hurls a lond left hook in defence.
Welland ducks under a couple of haymaker hooks beautifully.
Solano bullies back and pushes Welland to the floor, without a count.
Copy linkCopiedWelland vs Solano – R1
Essex prospect Tom Welland looks to go 4-0 against Marvin Solano.
Double-jab-right-hand from from the young Brit pushes Solano back.
Solano is not your average journeyman and throws right hands and uppercuts back.
Teenage Welland lands a right hand that stuns Solano but he flicks into fight instead of flight mode.
Copy linkCopiedBack to his blessed
I loved every second of the fight and fight week.I hid a cut I got in my last week of camp.But now I have the first fight out of the way and I want everyone, all the people who ducked me.They can’t dodge and duck me forever.Charlie Edwards
Copy linkCopiedReady, Eddie, go
That was very special because I have been messed around, lied to and nobody wanted to know me.I worked my bum off and got myself back here.I have given everything to this sport and felt I was getting nothing back.Charlie Edwards
Copy linkCopiedEdwards wins UD
Ewards wins a unanimous decisin after one-sided win over tough Geores Ory.
All three judges called it 98-92.
The Epsom kid can now focus on becoming a two-world champ.
Copy linkCopiedEdwards vs Ory – R9
Ory keeps hunting but Edwards is enjoying the night, after 308 days out of the ring.
No mistakes in the last six minues and Edwards is back in the big miz.
Cornerman Sunny is tryig to talk his man over the line.
Copy linkCopiedEdwards vs Ory – R8
Ory steams in and bullies Edwards into a neutral corner.
The Angers man is still swinging but Edwards has more gears to go up.
Edwards almost showboats on the bell but rigtly feels the need for respect.
Copy linkCopiedEdwards vs Ory – R7
Edwards coasting now. Can’t be far off a shutout.
Ory has a small cut over his right eye that is getting work on now.
The cut doesn’t look too bad but it’s right above his eye and could drip down.
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Copy linkCopiedEdwards vs Ory – R6
Better body work from Edwards, a left hook and straight run score.
Ory gets manhandled and pushed back into a corner until the ref breaks it up.
Another Edwards round banked in the vault.
Copy linkCopiedEdwards vs Ory – R5
Ory takes a tumble and hits the canvas but it’s correctly not called a knockdown.
Edwards almost fell on top of his rival.
Ory has settled in now and doesn’t look like losing early.
But Edwards is looking classy and more than capable of a UD win.
Copy linkCopiedEdwards vs Ory – R4
Edwards throws a couple of southpaw jabs and looks a better switchhitter than Ory.
The uppercut and straight right hands and working for Edwards.
And Ory’s relentlessness means he is happy to run on to a few meaty blows.
Copy linkCopiedEdwards vs Ory – R3
Ory throws a handful of punches at Edwards but the Brit tucks up and deflects them.
The right uppercut is the Edwards honey shot, so far.
But Ory likes a left hook and only likes fighting om the front foot, so Edwards will not get a breather.
Copy linkCopiedEdwards vs Ory – R3
Edwards has a couple of red marks around his face but nothing worrying.
Ory looks so much more dangerous out of his usual southpaw stance.
But he keeps switching in an effort to be unpredictable.
Smooth footwork from Edwards reminds us of his world title heyday.
Copy linkCopiedEdwards vs Ory – R2
Two rasping hooks slash into Ory’s ribs but he seems a tough Frenchman.
Edwards throws three jabs to head and body and scores with an uppercut.
Ory is being tagged but not hurt. Edwards is blowing away the cobwebs but not the opponent – yet.
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