Boxer Sherif Lawal Dead at 29 After Getting Knocked Out During His Professional Debut

Lawal suffered a fatal blow to his temple during the match on May 12 in the United Kingdom

British boxer Sherif Lawal has died following a head injury he sustained during his professional debut, according to multiple outlets. He was 29.

Lawal was competing at the Harrow Leisure Centre in London on Sunday, May 12, when he suffered a blow to the temple, the event's promoter Warren Boxing Management said in a statement on social media the following day.

“Last night, Sherif Lawal was making his debut at a show at Harrow Leisure Centre, in which our boxer Courtney Bennett was scheduled to fight," the statement said.

"Unfortunately during Sherif’s fight, he collapsed and despite the best efforts of the paramedics, he was later pronounced dead."

Concluding the statement, Warren Boxing Management offered their condolences to Lawal's "family, friends, coaches and all those close to him at this tragic time."

According to ESPN, Lawal's fight against Portuguese opponent Malam Varela was the first match of the event, and the following fights were canceled after Lawal suffered the fatal injury.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The British Boxing Board of Control also released a statement on Monday confirming Lawal's death, according to NBC. "The thoughts of all those involved in Boxing in Great Britain are with them at this difficult time," the board's statement said.

Additional details were not provided.

Related: 18-Year-Old Boxer Jeanette Zacarias Zapata Dies After Sustaining Head Injuries in Fight Knockout

In 2021, a similar tragedy occurred when 18-year-old boxer Jeanette Zacarias Zapata sustained injuries to her brain while fighting Canada's Marie-Pier Houle, according to the Associated Press.

Zapata was attended to by her partner and trainer, Jovanni Martinez, and a medical team at the stadium took her to a local hospital where she was placed in a medically induced coma, the AP reported.

Her death was announced by event promoter Groupe Yvon Michel in a statement on Thursday night. "It is with great sadness and torment that we have learned, from a representative of her family, that Jeannette Zacarias Zapata passed away this afternoon at 3:45 p.m.," the statement read.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.