Amir Khan pays touching tribute to Willie Limond after first man to floor Brit as a pro tragically dies aged just 45
AMIR KHAN has paid a touching tribute to Willie Limond after his former opponent’s tragic death.
The Scottish boxer, 45, died after succumbing to his condition following a suspected seizure.
He was was found unresponsive in his car last Saturday morning in Coatbridge and was rushed to University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie where he remained in a critical condition until passing away.
Tributes flooded in for the popular Limond, who was due to fight Geordie Joe Laws in a comeback bout in Glasgow next month.
One of the late star’s most famous battles in the ring came back in 2007 when he battled Khan for the Commonwealth lightweight title at London’s O2 Arena.
The Englishman was a rising star then after winning silver at the Athens Olympic games and was aged only 20.
Limond gave Khan an almighty scare when he knocked down Khan in the sixth round but he ultimately went on to lose by stoppage after suffering a broken jaw before the start of the ninth.
Now Khan has posted a video on social media to pay tribute to his former rival upon learning of his sad passing.
The now retired former unified light-welterweight world champion, 37, said: “My thoughts go out to his family.
“If there’s anyway that I can help or support, please get in touch with me or the team.
“It’s sad news for boxing. He was a great person and we met numerous times after we fought each other and like I said my thoughts are with his family and if there’s anyway that I can help then please let me know.
“Our prayers go out there for Willie. We’ll keep him in our prayers. Rest in peace, champ.”
Ex-British title holder and former Sheffield United footballer Curtis Woodhouse, who Limond defeated for the title in 2014, had earlier revealed that he was “gutted”.
He said: “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.”
Another of Limond’s biggest bouts was against legendary Mexican fighter Erik Morales in front of 60,000 fans in Mexico City with the WBC silver super lightweight title on the line.
He also took on the likes of Anthony Crolla and Tyrone Nurse in other high-profile bouts during the later years of his career.