The Heartbreaking Deaths Driving Aussie Boxer Michael Zerafa Ahead Of Touted World Title Fights

Australian boxer Michael Zerafa's heartbreaking deaths ahead of his anticipated world title fights have put the sport on edge. Victorian fighter Dwight Ritchie tragically passed away Saturday during a training accident after sparring with Zerafa.

At the hands of Tim Tszyu, known as "Cowboy", Ritchie recently lost a unanimous decision but gained admirers for his bravery and performance.

Dwight Ritchie

Australia mourns the passing of local fighter Dwight Ritchie, 27, after an apparent training accident in Melbourne. He had been sparring Michael Zerafa - who is gearing up for his December rematch against Jeff Horn - when he collapsed after taking a body shot and could not be revived.

Australian boxing fans have rallied around Ritchie, known as "Cowboy", as a father of three and popular member of the fight scene. However, his 21-fight career ended in loss to Tim Tszyu in a controversial decision.

After learning of Ritchie's passing, his promoter Jake Ellis launched a GoFundMe campaign to support his wife and children. To date, over $20,000 has been raised towards the $50,000 goal.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Ritchie took a body shot and then returned to his corner before collapsing and being unable to be revived. His passing adds to the tragic list of boxers who have passed away this year in the sport, following American Patrick Day's tragic passing in October.

Ritchie's death not only bereaved his family and friends, but it serves as a sobering reminder of just how hazardous boxing can be. With several deaths this year in the sport, many medical associations have called for its ban.

As soon as the news of Ritchie's passing broke, several boxing promoters expressed their sympathy to his family and set up an online prize pool for donations. The fight community is tightly-knit, and they look out for each other even when they are rivals.

On the Main Event Boxing podcast last year, Zerafa remembered his sparring partner Ritchie collapsing and passing away during a session in the ring. He said that 27-year-old had been an incredible friend to him since childhood and they had been sparring together in the gym ever since.

Australian boxing's community issued a statement to remember Ritchie as an embodiment of its fighting cowboy attitude. He had an inspiring life story, triumphing twice against cancer - leaving behind behind him a great loss to both his family and sport's community at large.

Tim Tszyu

Unfortunately, too many fighters have passed away prematurely or after suffering career-ending injuries in the boxing world. From John Tate and Greg Page to Trevor Berbick and so many more, we mourn these fine fighters with heavy hearts.

Thankfully, these stories are few and far between these days due to the hard work and dedication of the sport's governing bodies. Nonetheless, some tragic incidents have left us questioning if our beloved sport may be losing some of its true heart.

One such tragic event was when Michael Zerafa's regulation punch to fellow boxer Dwight Ritchie in November last year tragically claimed his friend and sparring partner's life. It has now been revealed that Zerafa himself considered suicide during the difficult days following Ritchie's passing.

Now, Zerafa is back on the main stage for an important fight in Sydney and he has opened up about the two tragic deaths which have been a heavy burden on him.

Zerafa had a difficult year but now vows to make up for lost time if he wins the IBF title against Esquiva Falcao in September. If successful, Zerafa plans on becoming Australia's face of boxing once crowned champion.

He says he wants to serve as a role model for young fighters who have yet to be born and have never had the chance to witness how it's done. And he has an action plan for them to reach that level.

On Wednesday night, Zerafa showed what he is capable of when faced with pressure. The 29-year-old outclassed the former world champion throughout the fight, landing punch after punch and sending him to the canvas multiple times.

Though referee Phil Austin warned Horn of his potential danger in rounds 6 and 7, he was unable to put an end to the fight.

Tszyu has an excellent chance to win this fight and be crowned undisputed super welterweight champion. That would mean an incredible payday for him, so there are no plans to wait around for a world title fight.

Gennady Golovkin

Gennady Golovkin was eager for another epic battle with Saul Canelo Alvarez, one of the most anticipated middleweight rivalries of all time. He also wanted to put an end to an ongoing saga which has dominated the sport for so long - each fight between them having brought controversy to the fore.

Though they have exchanged verbal barbs over the years, there was never any real chemistry in the ring between them. Their relationship was already frayed before Saturday night's thrilling battle that ended in a draw.

Golovkin saw this bout as an opportunity to cement himself as one of boxing's all-time greats. Since starting his career at 23, the Kazakh has become a ubiquitous presence on sporting stages around the world, knocking out more than 400 opponents to prove he's an incomparable fighter who is willing to put opponents' lives on the line for victory.

Golovkin's remarkable talent aside, his name carries a heavy burden of emotion as well. His older brothers both died while serving in the military and it's this loss that haunts him as he prepares for this fight against Alvarez on April 26.

Golovkin and his family have been devastatingly affected by the passing of his brother, but it also had a ripple effect in the boxing community. As a result, Golovkin took time out of boxing to reflect on this tragedy in an intimate interview with TMZ Sports.

Golovkin is sharing his emotions after suffering such a heartbreaking loss and how this tragedy has affected him and the boxing community. He believes that there should be more done by the sport to prevent such tragedies from occurring, and he hopes they can do something about it.

He has long been a supporter of the boxing community and has made several donations to charities in memory of his late brother. Additionally, a portion of his proceeds from this fight will be donated towards raising money for victims affected by last year's Las Vegas shootings.

The Golovkin camp has arrived in San Antonio to officially announce their April 26 fight with Lee and is expected to meet Top Rank on Friday. Additionally, there may be talk of a July 12 date with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Erislandy Lara

Australian boxer Michael Zerafa's heartbreaking losses ahead of WBA middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin have given him cause for serious concern. While Zerafa has been winning his series of fights and his team are making moves to secure a world title shot against Canelo Alvarez, the loss of Erislandy Lara in the eighth round has left him feeling vulnerable with no fight to look forward to.

Lara's death, which came on the same day a young Canadian speed skater drowned in the ocean, serves as a stark reminder of just how hazardous boxing can be for anyone who gets injured. While it's hard to pinpoint why it happens so frequently, we must remember that even minor impacts in this sport can prove fatal.

This wasn't the first time a boxer died in the ring, but it certainly is one of the most tragic. The earliest case of death from combat was Cho Hi who suffered severe brain injury during a bout with Daichi Sakoda.

Cho Hi's exact cause of death remain unknown, but it appears he was injured from a punch to the head and succumbed to brain damage from being unconscious for days. Although he was an amateur boxer, this development should serve as a reminder that even professional fighters can suffer traumatic brain injuries.

Many people don't realize that even fighters who have won numerous matches are at risk of developing a brain injury or having a career-ending stroke. That is why it is so essential to get an appropriate medical evaluation prior to any boxing match taking place.

CTE should be taken seriously, which is why we must all be aware of its signs and symptoms. These include depression, an urge to become angry or aggressive, as well as a general decline in mental health.

Recently, several high profile boxers have tragically passed away in the ring - a reminder of just how dangerous boxing can be. It's easy to get distracted by all the excitement around a fight, but it's essential that we remain focused on what truly matters.

What Happened to Irene Cara?

Irene Cara was an American actress, singer and songwriter best known for her roles in the 1980 film Fame and 1983 musical Flashdance.

She won an Academy Award and two Grammy Awards for her contributions to the hit song "Flashdance What A Feeling," which became a cultural phenomenon during the 1980s. On November 25, 2022 at 63 years old, she passed away.

She was 63 years old

Irene Cara, the legendary singer-actress who won an Oscar and two Grammys for her soundtrack hits Fame and Flashdance, has passed away at 63 years old, according to her publicist Judith Moose. No cause of death has been identified yet, according to Moose.

Cara was born in New York City and began her career as a child on Spanish-language TV, according to her publicist. At age 5, Cara learned to play the piano by ear, followed by lessons in singing, dancing and acting.

Her first major role was on the educational television series The Electric Company, where she played a member of the Short Circus band. Afterward, she enjoyed an impressive acting career that saw her appear in several films and plays.

She rose to fame as the voice behind both Fame and Flashdance's title songs, plus she starred opposite Clint Eastwood and Tatum O'Neal in 1984's City Heat. Additionally, she performed as Mary Magdalene in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar production.

In 1983, composer Giorgio Moroder approached Irene to collaborate on a song for his film project Flashdance. She agreed and wrote the lyrics to her hit single "Flashdance - What a Feeling" while touring with producer Keith Forsey.

The track went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Song as well as additional Grammy, Golden Globe and People's Choice Awards. It quickly became one of her most popular songs, heard on radio stations and dance clubs worldwide.

Her next big success was the 1983 song, "Flashdance - What 'A' Feeling" from the movie of the same name. This hit earned Irene another Academy Award nomination, two Grammy awards and an American Music Award for Pop Single of the Year.

In the 1980s, Irene featured in numerous musicals. Additionally, she sang backup for artists like Lou Reed and Oleta Adams.

She then appeared in several films, such as City Heat with Clint Eastwood and Burt Reynolds, Caged in Paradiso, Certain Fury, and Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar: Revisited. Additionally, she played Myrlie Evers-Williams in For Us the Living: The Medgar Evers Story.

She died of hypertension and high cholesterol

Irene Cara, best known for her songs from 1980s films Flashdance and Fame, passed away in November at 63 years old. According to TMZ, her death was caused by hypertension and high cholesterol.

Cara Escalera, born Irene Escalera in the Bronx, New York, grew up in an impoverished family. Her mother Louise worked as a cashier while her father Gaspar worked as a steelworker. Cara developed skills in dance, singing and acting from an early age which eventually led her to success as a child actress.

She enjoyed a long and successful career in music, beginning with her debut album Esta Es Irene in 1967. Additionally, she appeared in several musicals and films such as Sparkle, Sister, Sister, For Us the Living: Medgar Evers Story, Gabriel's Fire, Bustin' Loose and Hearts Are Wild.

The singer and actress made a lasting impact in the music industry with her two biggest hits, "Fame" and "Flashdance." For her contributions to popular culture, she earned herself an Oscar and two Grammy Awards.

Cara not only acted, but she also released her own music and sang several film theme songs. Her hit single "Flashdance... What a Feeling" earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song while her rendition of "Fame" earned her a Grammy in 1984.

However, in the late 1980s Cara became increasingly reclusive, spending most of her time in her Florida home. She avoided neighbors during her last days and did not leave until November 25th 2022 when she was discovered dead inside it.

On Thursday, TMZ reported that Cara's death was caused by hypertension and high cholesterol. The Pinellas County Medical Examiner determined she had arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), leading to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

High blood pressure is a leading cause of death in the United States, but it can be managed through medication and lifestyle changes like eating healthier, exercising regularly and quitting smoking. According to the American Heart Association, normal blood pressure should be 140/90 mmHg or lower for most people. Unfortunately, Black Americans are particularly at risk for this condition so taking preventative measures is even more essential.

She was a hermit

Irene Cara was an award-winning singer, actress and songwriter whose fame surged during the 1980s. Born on March 18, 1959 to Puerto Rican and Cuban parents in the Bronx section of New York City to a steel company employee father and movie theater usher mother, she achieved success as an accomplished musician during this period.

She began playing piano by ear when she was eight; later on, she made a breakthrough performance on "Ted Mack Amateur Hour" as an eight-year old and went on to star in films like Roots, Sisters and Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones.

In 1980, Cara debuted as Coco Hernandez in the film Fame, a determined young woman whose ambitions are dashed by events at Professional Children's School. This satirical look at an upper class Manhattan high school earned Cara an Oscar nomination and proved a major hit at box office.

Her iconic single "Fame," which reached the top of the charts, became a pop classic and inspired other Latin artists such as Mariah Carey to achieve success. Though her career ultimately faded away, her legacy remains strong.

After her success reached its peak, Cara experienced numerous personal and professional setbacks. In 1985 she filed a lawsuit against record label boss Al Coury for $10 million, alleging he had defrauded her of royalties as well as blacked her out from the industry.

However, she continued to perform occasionally and in 2010 formed the female musical duo Hot Caramel. According to two members of the group - Audrey Martells and Sheryl Bailey - they recorded five or six songs but never officially released them.

She was born and raised in the Bronx, NY and developed an interest in Latin and Caribbean music genres. When she was a teenager, her family relocated to Largo, FL where she settled down for many years.

Cara's neighbors in Largo, FL, reported that she lived alone and took great pride in maintaining her privacy. Although they attempted to convince her to spend time with them, Cara refused.

On November 30, the Pinellas County Medical Examiner completed an autopsy of her body; however, the cause of her passing has yet to be determined. Her publicist Judith Moose stated in an email that her family has asked for privacy so they can grieve. A memorial will take place at a later date.

She was a victim

Irene Cara, the Oscar and Grammy winning singer-actress best known for her roles as "Fame" from the 1980 musical Fame and co-writing the iconic hit song "Flashdance - What a Feeling" from 1983's blockbuster Flashdance, has passed away at 63 years old. Her publicist Judith Moose announced on Saturday that she had passed away in Florida.

Born in New York as Irene Escalera, she came from a modest background. Her mother Louise worked as a cashier and her father Gasper was both an iron worker and musician.

She began her career as a child singer and actor on Spanish-language television shows. Later, she achieved success onstage by appearing in various Broadway musicals.

In 1980, she made a major impact with her role as Coco Hernandez in the movie Fame. Her performance of the title track earned her two Grammy nominations and an Academy Award nomination.

Following the success of Fame, she embarked on numerous musical tours and formed an all-female band called Hot Caramel.

Her music had an international following. She had a powerful voice and an impressive proficiency on the guitar.

Throughout her career, she achieved several major hits such as "Fame," "What a Feeling" and "Flashdance". For the former song, she won an Oscar; for the latter two albums she earned two Grammy awards.

However, her fame began to decline in the 1990s. In 1993, a California jury awarded her $1.5 million following a legal dispute with her record label Network Records.

As a result, she was blacklisted by many people in the music industry. Additionally, she suffered from depression and substance abuse issues.

According to a report by Pinellas County medical examiner, Cara died of arteriosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Additionally, she had diabetes.

Her passing is a devastating loss for her fans and the entertainment industry, yet it should come as no shock that she passed away so young. Additionally, it leaves behind an immense void in the lives of those closest to her - an irreparable blow that will continue to haunt them in their later years.

Irene Cara, born on March 18, 1959 in New York City and a proud member of both Cuban-Puerto Rican and Hispanic cultures, is the youngest of five siblings.