Willie Limond: Former British champion boxer dies aged 45

Former British and Commonwealth champion boxer Willie Limond has died at the age of 45.

It is understood he fell ill earlier this month amid preparations for a fight.

In an Instagram post on Monday, his son Jake said: "My dad passed away in the early hours of the morning around 3am.

"He fought on for near enough 10 days. Warrior."

The Scot won 42 of his 48 professional fights from 1999 to 2023, including 13 by knockout.

He held the EBU European Union super-featherweight title in 2004, the Commonwealth lightweight title from 2006 to 2007, the Commonwealth super-lightweight title from 2013 to 2014, and the British super-lightweight title in 2014.

Limond, who started out as a footballer, made five league appearances for Albion Rovers in the late 1990s.

A statement from his boxing club, St Andrew's Sporting Club, read: "Everyone at St Andrew's Sporting Club are shocked and deeply saddened at the loss of our friend, Willie Limond.

"Willie was not only a legend of the sport, but an infectious character who will be greatly missed by us all.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Jake, Drew, Macy and the rest of the Limond family at this time."

Former opponent Curtis Woodhouse was also among those to pay tribute.

Woodhouse, who was beaten in a British light-welterweight title fight by Limond at Glasgow's Braehead Arena in 2014, posted on X: "Absolutely devastated to hear the news of the passing of Willie Limond, a great fighter and a great man.

"We stayed in touch after our fight and always had a laugh together. Absolutely gutted. Rest in peace champ."