Willie Limond: Former British champion dies aged 45

Former British and Commonwealth super-lightweight champion Willie Limond has died at the age of 45.

The Scotsman had been in hospital after having a suspected seizure while driving.

The Glaswegian won 42 of his 48 professional fights from 1999 to 2023 – including 13 by knockout – although only three bouts took place after 2016.

Limond was originally a footballer, playing five times for Albion Rovers in the late 1990s.

He held the British super-featherweight, super-lightweight and lightweight titles as well as the Commonwealth light-welterweight, WBU lightweight and IBO Inter-Continental lightweight titles during his boxing career.

In a post on social media, his son Jake said his “dad passed away in the early hours of the morning”.

“He fought on for near enough 10 days. Warrior,” he added on Instagram.

Four of Limond’s six defeats were against fighters who won world titles – Amir Khan, Anthony Crolla, Erik Morales and Ricky Burns.

Limond fought against countryman Ricky Burns in September, with the referee stopping the fight at the end of the eighth round because of excessive blood from his nose.

Limond announced his retirement from the sport afterwards but was set to face Joe Laws in Glasgow on 3 May.

Curtis Woodhouse, who was beaten in a British title fight by Limond in 2014, paid tribute to the fighter on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Absolutely devastated to hear the news of the passing of Willie Limond, a great fighter and a great man. We stayed in touch after our fight and always had a laugh together. Absolutely gutted. Rest In Peace champ,” the Englishman wrote.

More to follow.