On Saturday, the 27-year-old Ritchie collapsed after a session with Zerafa, who is preparing for his December rematch with former welterweight champion Jeff Horn.
The Daily Telegraph first reported the news. According to the paper, Ritchie took a body shot, walked back to his corner and collapsed. He could not be revived.
Ritchie suffered only his second loss in a 21 fight career back in August, when he lost a decision to rising superstar Tim Tszyu.
Ritchie’s promoter, Jake Ellis, confirmed the tragic news on social media - “It is with great sadness and shock to announce that the fighting cowboy Dwight Ritchie sadly passed away today doing what he loved. As Dwight’s promoter and friend it’s unbearable to accept the tragic news that’s just surfaced.
“Dwight will always be remembered by the boxing fraternity as one of the brightest talents in Australia who’s fighting style embodied exactly how he lived. RIP Cowboy you’ll be forever missed.”
Ritchie was in training for a light middleweight fight against Tommy Browne on the undercard of Tszyu's December 6 card.
Ritchie, who grew up in Shepparton in country Victoria, battled cancer when he was six months old and again at 18 months.
"I can’t imagine the pain that my mother and nan went through with all the back and forth trips to doctors in Melbourne. Thankfully, since then there has be no signs of it returning," Ritchie told AthletesVoice in August.
Source
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/dwight- ... 5392i.html
