World champion boxer Paul Bamba has tragically passed away at the age of 35 mere days after making history.
Last weekend, Bamba clinched the WBA Gold Cruiserweight world title in New Jersey after defeating Rogelio Medina.
The victory marked his 14th knockout in 2024, surpassing the record previously held by legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson. Born in Puerto Rico, the American boxer boasted a career record of 19-3 and had recently challenged Jake Paul following his triumph over Medina.
However, just six days post-victory, he was found dead.
Bamba, whose career was supported by American singer Ne-Yo’s recently established boxing management venture, leaves the US boxing community in profound shock.
Ne-Yo, along with Bamba’s family, issued a heart-wrenching statement: “It is with profound sorrow that we announced the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives.”
The statement further praised his remarkable qualities, saying: “He was a fierce yet confident competitor with an unrelenting ambition to achieve greatness. But more than anything he was a tremendous individual that inspired many with his exceptional drive and determination.”
In grieving his untimely loss, they requested privacy, adding: “We are heartbroken by his passing and kindly ask for privacy and understanding during this difficult time as we collectively navigate our grief.”
Bamba had been coached by Malik Scott, married to CBS Sports presenter Kate Abdo, and was scheduled to fight Tommy Fury in November 2022 before the fight’s cancellation.
Bamba had taken the boxing world by storm in 2024, having fought every month except September and at times facing multiple opponents within a month.
On Christmas Day, Bamba posted on Instagram: “This year I set out with a goal. I did just that! Wasn’t easy there were many obstacles that I adapted to overcame and kept on the path we set regardless of extenuating circumstances. 14 fights””14 knockouts ending with the WBA GOLD cruiserweight world title. Blessed to have my family my team and all my supporters along the way. That being said if you got what some might call an ‘outlandish goal’ GO chase it. Anyone who thinks that isn’t as brave as you, prove people wrong!”
Following Bamba’s latest victory, his manager Ne-Yo took to Instagram to praise his client: “Last night PAUL BAMBA made history! Breaking Mike Tyson’s record, 14 fights in one year ALL RESULTING IN KNOCKOUTS! Ending the year with a cruiser weight WORLD TITLE! ! And the best is yet to come. Congrats my guy! ! Honored to be your manager. Let’s keep going! ! !”
Dominating the ring with an impeccable streak in 2024, Bamba challenged Jake Paul following his latest victory, asserting: “[Jake Paul] you can come get it, you can come fight for it or whatever, you can keep doing the gimmick fights.
“At the end of the day, I’ve put in the work. You can say you’ve taken boxing seriously and yeah you’ve made a lot of money but you haven’t earned anything in boxing.”
“If you think about how I started everything versus how everything is going now, I didn’t wait for an opportunity I created one,” he continued. “And I went out and grabbed it by the horns so to speak and did my thing this year. Look at the facts; 14 fights, 14 KOs in one year, how many belts have I got here?”
Paul also addressed the skepticism surrounding his opponents, saying: “I know I’m the best in the world and I’m going to be [the] world champion. There’s a long line out there and they can take a ticket and get in line to see who I want to fight next.”
Bamba, who was set to face Tommy Fury in a much-anticipated 2022 Dubai bout, expressed frustration after the cancellation due to Fury being seven pounds overweight. “It literally looks like they planned to screw me the whole time,” he recounted to the Mirror. “My contract said we had to be the same weight, and they were supposed to provide me with another option like they did Tommy.”
