Paul Bamba’s mother sold him in exchange for drugs during his early years, leading to his placement in the foster care system.
Puerto Rican boxer Paul Bamba tragically died on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 35, his manager Ne-Yo confirmed. However, the cause of death has not been revealed yet.
Highlights
- Paul Bamba died on December 27, 2024, at 35, for an undisclosed reason, per the news announced by singer and songwriter Ne-Yo.
- Bamba spent his childhood with his birth parents until 4. His mother sold him in exchange for drugs.
- By the time Paul was a teen, he had lived in twenty foster homes.
Bamba fought on 14 occasions in 2024 and won all the fights by knockout. The feat set the record for the most knockout wins in a calendar year, breaking Mike Tyson’s record of 11 knockouts in 1986.
He stopped Rogelio Medina Luna in the 6th round on December 21 to win the WBA gold cruiserweight championship in his final bout, which took place six days before his sudden death.
American singer and songwriter Ne-Yo announced his tragic passing in a statement,
“It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives.” “He was a fierce yet competent competitor with an unrelenting ambition to achieve greatness. But more than anything, he was a tremendous individual that inspired many with his exceptional drive and determination.” We are heartbroken by his passing and kindly ask for privacy and understanding during this difficult time as we collectively navigate our grief.”
Ne-Yo
He had previously been scheduled to fight Tommy Fury in November 2022. Still, the bout was called off by the event organizers, Global Titams, at the final minute after Fury weighed 6.8 pounds heavier than Bamba.
Bamba claimed at the time that he agreed for the match to take place at the light-heavyweight limit of 175 pounds, while Fury claimed his contract included a different weight maximum.
Bamba signed a managerial deal with American singer Ne-Yo a month before his passing.
After winning the WBA gold title, he called out Jake Paul and offered him a shot at his belt to legitimize the American superstar’s boxing career.
Paul didn’t respond to the callout but paid tribute to Bamba’s tragic passing on social media. He shared BAVAFA Sports’ post and wrote,
RIP Paul Bamba
Jake Paul
Paul Bamba’s Father Gave Up Parental Rights, Led To Bamba’s Unstable And Difficult Childhood
Boxer Paul Bamba was born on August 15, 1989, in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, to his parents, whose identity has not been revealed.
Bamba lived with his birth parents until the age of 4, when he was removed from their care. His father gave up his parental rights and left his wife and son Bamba, through which they struggled with financial conditions.
His mother was a d*ug addict, and she often sold Bamba for crack, but luckily, the dealer brought Paul to social services.
As per the Instagram post made by Paul Bamba on December 22, 2023, he used to get beaten by his parents relentlessly as a kid. He wrote,
When I was 4 years old my mother sold me for crack, luckily the dealer brought me to social services. Not too lucky tho being in homes where I was beaten relentlessly as a kid sucked too. You see everyone has something shitty from their past. It’s all about what you do with it , how you let it effect you, do you let it be your excuse for mediocrity ? Or do you allow it to drive you towards success. Me I chose the latter. Don’t get me wrong I have days were it affects me greatly, I feel out of place or uneasy cause being unwanted still haunts me, but still I strive. You can’t allow your past to determine your future. You can’t allow it to dictate how you move. Walk your path , take control of your destiny. It’s yours no one else’s.
Paul Bamba
Follwing this, Bamba was placed in the foster care system, where he underwent constant bullying, harassment, and abuse.
By the time Paul was a teen, he had lived in twenty different foster homes until he finally found his family, who remain a part of his life today.
Despite his early hardships, Paul Bamba demonstrated incredible strength. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps, pursued a professional boxing career, and inspired many people worldwide.
Breaking a Mike Tyson record just days before death is badass, Rest in Peace, Paul Bamba ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dme6LpcYEq
— Denis Bel (@DenisBelVlogs) December 27, 2024
He turned to boxing as a way to rebuild his life after facing homelessness. He struggled with PTSD after a tour in Iraq while serving in the US Marine Corps.
Bamba’s parents hold Puerto Rican nationality and European ethnicity. However, Paul holds Puerto Rican and American nationality.
Following Bamba’s passing, fans and followers have offered their heartfelt condolences to his family and urged them to stay strong in this challenging period.
Additional Information
- In November 2024, Bamba was the first fighter signed to American entertainer Ne-Yo’s sports management company. He first met Ne-Yo as his father, teaching him boxing as part of Ne-Yo’s workout routine.
- Paul Bamba had an estimated net worth of around $3 million, primarily earned from his boxing career.
- He initially started boxing at Morris Park Boxing Club in The Bronx, New York, to collect the $10 per round offered to spar amateur boxers.
