In a devastating turn of events for the boxing community, 27-year-old heavyweight boxer Ardi Ndembo has tragically passed away following a brutal knockout during a fight in Miami earlier this month. Ndembo, a rising star from Congo, was competing in a Team Combat League event on April 5th when he was knocked unconscious by Nestor Santana.
After the knockout, Ndembo was immediately taken to a Miami hospital and placed in an induced coma due to the severity of his injuries. Sadly, he succumbed to those injuries three weeks later, leaving behind a wife and two children. The boxing world mourns the loss of this talented athlete, who boasted a perfect 8-0 record before the fatal bout.
Viva Promotions, the promotion behind the event, expressed their grief in a statement on their X account: "We at Viva Promotions mourn the loss of Ardi Ndembo, a talented Congolese boxer who tragically passed away after a knockout in a Team Combat League match on April 5. He remained in an induced coma until his untimely death. RIP Ardi Ndembo!"
Boxing fans and fellow athletes have taken to social media to pay tribute to Ndembo, with many expressing their condolences to his family. WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney donated close to £1200 to a GoFundMe campaign set up by Team Combat League to support Ndembo's family. The campaign has already raised close to £9000, with the goal of reaching £19,000 to assist with the financial burden on the family. Team Combat League has also pledged to match all donations up to the £19k target.
Jeff Mayweather, the uncle of boxing icon Floyd Mayweather and coach of the Las Vegas Hustle, was present at the event and commented on the inherent risks associated with the sport. "Boxing’s a sport where you grow up watching it and loving it, but there’s so much risk involved. Anyone can lose their life from boxing," he told SunSport.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers professional boxers face every time they step into the ring. The loss of Ardi Ndembo has left a deep impact on the boxing community, with many reflecting on the need for increased safety measures and support for boxers and their families.