Australian boxer Dwight Ritchie dead after sparring accident

Australian boxer Dwight Ritchie has died during a training session with Michael Zerafa, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Ritchie, 27, had been sparring with Zerafa when he collapsed, and could not be revived.

The former Australian middleweight champion took a shot to the body, then walked back to his corner where he collapsed, according to the Telegraph’s Jamie Pandaram.

The pair were training for Zerafa’s upcoming rematch with Jeff Horn, as well as Ritchie’s own undercard bout with Tommy Browne in December.

Ritchie most recent fight was against Tim Tszyu, which was only the second defeat of his career.

Outpouring of grief from boxing community

Ritchie’s promoter, Jake Ellis, confirmed the tragic news with a post on Facebook.

“It is with great sadness and shock to announce that the ‘Fighting Cowboy’ Dwight Ritchie sadly passed away today doing what he loved," he wrote.

"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 whose fighting style embodied exactly how he lived."

Fellow fighters, as well as commentators and various other boxing figures were left in shock by the 27-year-old’s death.