Tributes pour in after the death of warrior Limond

THE world of boxing has paid tribute to former Commonwealth champion Willie Limond, who died yesterday aged 45. The Glaswegian was found unconscious in his car on April 6, having suffered from numerous seizures. Despite the best efforts of medics, he died almost 10 days later in Monklands Hospital in Airdrie. The boxer had won numerous titles in his career, including the British superfeatherweight, super-lightweight and lightweight belts, as well as the Commonwealth light-welterweight, WBU lightweight and IBO inter-continental lightweight crowns. He won 42 of his 48 professional fights from 1999 to 2023 — including 13 by knockout. Limond had been due to take on Joe Laws at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena on May 3 in a show organised by the St Andrew’s Sporting Club with his son, unbeaten 20-year-old professional Jake Limond, on the undercard. Laws wrote on social media that he was ‘absolutely devastated’ by the news. Father-of-three Limond’s other son, Drew, is also an amateur boxer who has fought for Scotland. A statement from Limond’s boxing club read: ‘Everyone at St Andrew’s Sporting Club are shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of our friend, Willie Limond. ‘Willie was not only a legend of the sport, but an infectious character who will be greatly missed by us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jake, Drew, Macy and the rest of the Limond family at this time.’ Former world champion Amir Khan last night paid his own tribute to Limond, whom he fought in 2007 for his first major title. ‘Just a short video today about a former opponent who I faced back in 2007 for the Commonwealth title,’ said Khan, who was knocked down by Limond during their fight in London. ‘It was my first major title as a professional boxer and it was against a guy called Willie Limond. My thoughts go out to his family. ‘If there’s any way I can help, or support, please get in touch with me or the team. He was a great champion and he was a great person. Our prayers go out there for Willie. We’ll keep him in our prayers and rest in peace.’