When it comes to athletes putting their bodies on the line, few sports come close to boxing. Most boxers are lucky enough to make it home again safely after the final bell rings, however, a small percentage have tragically died as a result of their injuries. Here we pay tribute to those brave enough to step in the ring but sadly committed the ultimate sacrifice for the sport they loved.
10 Fighters Who Tragically Died in the Ring
Image: Johann Walter Bantz/Unsplash
How Many Boxers Have Died in the Ring?
The total number of boxers to have died in the ring or from sustained injuries is estimated to be more than 2,000. According to a study by Manuel Velazquez, which examined boxers who died in the ring between 1720-2011, there were 1,865 deaths. More than a decade later, this number has now surpassed 2,000.
The report includes a breakdown by decade of when deaths occurred, which highlights that boxing today is much safer than it was a century ago.
As a reference, in the 1920s, there were 233 boxing deaths, compared to 103 in the 2000s, taking the average number of deaths per year down from 19 to 8.
Although the average number of boxing deaths per year has fallen, the fact athletes are still dying shows the dangers boxers face – despite added safety measures. So, how does the risk of stepping into the ring impact a boxer’s life expectancy?
A study conducted by Compare the Market suggested that the life expectancy of a boxer was as many as five years less than the average sports athlete. Most adults were expected to live 72.6 years, but with boxers, this number was as low as 67.7 years.
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