Dearborn Boxer Dies After Debut Fight

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DEARBORN, MI – A 19-year-old boxer from Dearborn died from head injuries after his debut professional fight in Youngstown, OH, his family members said.

Hamzah Aljahmi fell to his knees as the bell went off in the final round of Saturday’s bout, WKBN-TV reported. His opponent was declared the winner by a majority decision, and officials soon determined that Aljahmi was seriously injured.

Paramedics carried him from the ring to a local hospital, where he had emergency surgery. The young boxer who dreamed of becoming “the future Muhammad Ali” was in a coma for several days before dying Tuesday night, his cousin, Ibrahim Aljahim, told the Detroit Free Press.

“He was one of the most talented and respected people in the community,” Ibrahim Aljahim said. “He was very generous, loved everyone. He cared about the whole family.”

Hamzah Aljahmi, who sometimes trained at Kronk Gym in Detroit, “loved boxing,” his cousin said. He competed in National Golden Gloves matches, and posted videos of fights on his YouTube channel.

“From the age of 10, he was into boxing, he watched boxing,” Ibrahim Aljahim said. “That was his main sport.”

Pictures of the up-and-coming boxer are posted on his Instagram page, along with members of his family. On his profile, he described himself as a boxer, a businessman-to-be, a good Muslim and a good son.

“You all laugh cuz I’m different,” he wrote on his profile. “I laugh because you are all the same.”

Before his fight Saturday, he posted: “Ready for 2mrw fight night everyone keep me in ur prayers inshallah.”

“Inshallah” is an Arabic word for “God willing.”

» Screenshot via Instagram