Puerto Rican boxer Paul Bamba dies aged 35, six days after last fight
Share:
Puerto Rican boxer Paul Bamba has died at the age of 35, his manager, the R&B singer Shaffer ‘Ne-Yo’ Smith, announced Friday. The news comes less than a week after Bamba claimed the WBA’s secondary ‘gold’ cruiserweight title with a sixth-round knockout of Rogelio Medina in New Jersey.
Bamba’s death was confirmed in a joint statement from Ne-Yo and Bamba’s family. “It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, friend, and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives,” the statement read. It also described Bamba as a fierce competitor with an unrelenting drive for greatness.
The Puerto Rican fighter had a remarkable 2024, winning all 14 of his matches by knockout. His title victory last week was the culmination of a career comeback after three early losses. Bamba, whose record stood at 19-3 with 18 knockouts, was widely regarded for his resilience and determination.
Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Bamba’s journey to the ring was unconventional. He served in the US Marine Corps, where he struggled with PTSD after a tour in Iraq. Facing homelessness, he turned to boxing as a way to rebuild his life. Training at the Morris Park Boxing Club in the Bronx, he credited the sport with saving him.
This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click 'Allow and continue'. “Boxing literally saved my life,” Bamba said in an interview. He initially sparred for $10 per round before being mentored by trainers Aaron ‘Superman’ Davis and Bobby Miles. They helped him channel his struggles into a professional career that began in 2021.
