Featherweight boxing champion Andrew Tham has passed away due to injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash last week. The promising pugilist was only 28.
Tham was riding his Kawasaki motorcycle on Thursday, May 30 in Cumbernauld, Scotland, when he collided with a Hyundai Tucson. He was subsequently taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday, June 2, according to the BBC.
Fans took to Tham’s last post on Instagram to pay tribute to the young boxer. “RIP Champ,” one well-wisher wrote. “Thoughts and prayers God rest your soul,” a second fan wrote. “Rest in peace, fly high brother,” a third fan added.
George Stewart, who triumphed over Tham in a boxing match last month, also expressed his deep sorrow over Tham’s passing, stating he was “absolutely devastated,” according to the BBC.
“It was an absolute honor and a pleasure to share the ring with him two weeks ago — a true warrior. I have no words to describe this devastating news other than heartbreaking,” Stewart added.
Tham embarked on his professional boxing career in 2019 and clinched the featherweight championship title in September 2023, during the undercard of the match between Scottish boxers Ricky Burns and Willie Limond.
Andrew Tham’s Death Marks Another Tragic Loss in the Boxing Community
Tham’s death marks another tragic loss in the boxing community, following the passing of British boxer Sherif Lawal, 29, who succumbed to a head injury on May 12 after his professional debut. Lawal had been competing at the Harrow Leisure Centre in London when he suffered a blow to the temple. The event’s promoter, Warren Boxing Management, announced the sad news on social media the next day.
Lawal’s fight against Portuguese opponent Malam Varela was the event’s first match. However, the remaining fights were canceled after Lawal’s fatal injury.
From 1890 to 2011, an estimated 1,604 boxers lost their lives due to injuries sustained in the ring, according to a study conducted by Manuel Velazquez. This translates to an average of 13 deaths annually.
During the 1920s, the number of fatalities related to boxing reached a peak of 233. Whereas in the 2000s, this figure significantly decreased to 103.
After Duk-Koo Kim’s 1983 death in a match with Ray Mancini, fatalities in boxing dropped significantly. Championship fights were shortened from 15 to 12 rounds to minimize long-term head injuries.