Billy Dib health reveal rocks boxing world: 'Too much to live for'
Australia's former boxing world champion Billy 'The Kid' Dib has left the fight world saddened after revealing that he is battling cancer.
The 37-year-old Sydneysider - who lost his first wife to leukaemia six years ago - confirmed the shock news in a series of social media posts.
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Dib - who held the IBO super-featherweight title in 2008 and the IBF featherweight belt in 2011 - had complained about intense stomach pain before going to hospital to seek treatment.
He said he was initially sent home from hospital with painkillers before seeking out another doctor, when the issue did not improve.
It was only then that a doctor made the heartbreaking discovery that Dib had a cancerous tumour growing inside of him.
The Aussie fighter has since undergone surgery to have the tumour removed after revealing that he had not been able to eat properly for nine days.
"I have too much to live for. During the course of my my career I have refused to be defined by my setbacks, this time around I’m up against a different opponent I will not give up. Round 1 begins now," Dib wrote in an Instagram post.
He also posted a photo of himself with his wife and son on Twitter, alongside the caption: "Cancer has picked the wrong opponent. I have too much to live for."
The 37-year-old described the cancer diagnosis as the "one of the most frightening situations" he has ever faced, and praised his brother and doctor for taking his concerns seriously.
"Despite sharing the ring with some dangerous opponents in my career, this is one of the most frightening situations I have found myself in," Dib wrote in a Facebook post.
"I am so grateful that they took my pain so seriously and together with my brother Mohammad and Dr. Pham I am grateful that they took action which saved my life.
"At the moment I am recovering from the surgery and it has been tough. I have been unable to eat for the last 9 days and am contemplating a return to the featherweight division (jokes)."
Boxing world rocked by Billy Dib news
News of Dib's cancer diagnosis has left boxing fans in shock, with the Aussie fighter flooded with messages of support on social media.
Champ, habibi. You have been a winner and this is just another challenge . Stay strong we are in your corner
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) October 24, 2022
May Allah ﷻ grant you a full & quick shifaa, as well as strength & ease, and allow for this to be a means of your sins being expiated and rank being increased. Ameen. All the best champ!🤲🏼💚
— 🦁💚💫Yousaf يوسف (@Y_A_4_4) October 24, 2022
Keep punching champ sending love from the uk ❤️
— Stefy Bull (@StefyBull) October 24, 2022
All the best bra. You’ve always been a staunch fighter. No doubt you’ll get thru this fight as well
— OzDeebo (@DwnUnderOutlaw) October 24, 2022
Terrible news!!Get well soon!!!!
— Rich (@Richg4385) October 25, 2022
Dib was in Melbourne recently for the George Kambosos-Devin Haney world-title rematch, and has been filming a television show called The Challenge.
He was also at a press conference that turned physical last week, supporting his cousin, fellow boxer Billel Dib.
The 37-year-old lost his first wife Sara in 2016 due to complications stemming from her leukaemia treatment.
The pair brought forward their wedding to two weeks after her diagnosis and she died just six weeks later.
Dib remarried and welcomed a son three years later.
He retired in 2018 but made a return to the ring a year later and has fought five times since.
His last fight was on the Gold Coast in March, with a victory over Jacob Ng bringing his record to 48 wins and six losses.
with AAP
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