(Scypre.com) – The sports world is mourning the loss of 27-year-old heavyweight boxer Ardi Ndembo, who tragically passed away on Thursday, succumbing to injuries sustained during a brutal match earlier this month.
Ndembo, who had an undefeated record of 8-0, was competing in a Team Combat League event in Miami on April 5 when he was knocked out by opponent Nestor Santana. The impact left him unconscious for an extended period, and he was subsequently placed in an induced coma at a local hospital.
Ardi Ndembo, a father of two, originally from Congo, was fighting under the Las Vegas Hustle banner, part of the Team Combat League, with his bout drawing significant attention within the boxing community. After the devastating knockout, medical professionals quickly intervened, administering immediate care in the ring before transporting him to the hospital, where he fought for his life over the next three weeks.
In a heartfelt statement released by Viva Promotions, the organizers expressed their deep sorrow over the loss: “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!”
The incident has sparked conversations about the inherent dangers of boxing. Jeff Mayweather, an uncle of boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. and a representative of Ndembo’s Team Combat League team, was ringside during the fatal match. Speaking to The Sun, he reflected on the perilous nature of 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. When something like this happens, it wakes up the whole entire world. I don’t think boxing’s a bad sport because you can die in any sport. You drive a race car at 200mph, if it slides, you’re going to die too. You can die in any sport but boxing is a brutal sport.”
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman also expressed his condolences, highlighting the global boxing community’s grief: “May he rest in peace. Ardi Ndembo has passed away in Miami. Our condolences go to his family.” He shared this message on the social media platform X, drawing a significant response from the public and fans.
Amidst this tragedy, the boxing community has rallied to support Ndembo’s family. A GoFundMe page established to aid his widow and children has collected over $11,000. Moreover, Team Combat League has pledged to match donations up to $25,000, honoring Ndembo with a 10-bell salute—a traditional boxing tribute to fallen fighters.
Ndembo’s wife, who resides in Las Vegas, flew to Miami to be at her husband’s bedside during his final days, as reported by the Daily Mail. The loss of Ardi Ndembo is a stark reminder of the risks athletes face in pursuit of their sport, sparking ongoing discussions about safety protocols and protective measures in professional boxing.