Yahoo News Newcastle boxer Joe Laws launches fundraiser for the funeral and kids of Willie Limond
Newcastle boxer Joe Laws has set up a fundraiser for the 'send off' of late British champion Willie Limond, after the 45-year-old passed away earlier this week. Benwell Bomber Laws, 29, was set to take on Limond in the squared-circle on May 3 at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
However, in a tragic turn of events, his Scottish opponent was found unresponsive in a car in Coatbridge on April 6 - passing away nine days later. A Police Scotland spokesperson, confirmed: "Around 8.05am on Saturday April 6 2024, police were called to a report of a 45-year-old man found unresponsive within a car in Heatherbell Road, Coatbridge.
"The man was taken to Monklands Hospital where he died on Monday April 15 2024. There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."
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Now, Laws has set up a fundraiser for his late opponent, to ensure that the champion receives the send off he deserves and his children are looked after. Speaking to ChronicleLive about the fundraiser, the Newcastle native, said: "I just thought if he's coming back to fight young ones like me to make a better life for his family, I think the least I can do is pay him his respects at his funeral and and try to make a bit of money for the funeral costs.
"The Limond name lives on through his sons, so any spare change can go to them for sponsorship. I think we've raised nearly five grand and the goal is ten grand, just so we can give him the send off he deserves, his sons don't have to worry about it, and any spare change can go to the sons for their boxing career."
He added: "I'm not asking nowt, just skip your morning coffee - put £2 in, put £1 in, give it a share. I think if everyone does that, we'll raise a good amount.
"I don't know about down here but up Scotland, if it wasn't for Willie Limond many nights wouldn't have happened - he made Scottish boxing do you know what I mean? He's made British boxing, he's a legend."
Speaking about Willie, he continued: "Seeing him face to face, shaking his hand, having a craic with him - he was a real bloke," adding: "I think the least we can do as his fans, supporters and athletes is pay him a bit respect. Put £2 in, put £1 in and give the page a little share."
Joe's fundraiser has racked up an abundance of support from the widespread community, raising £4,860 at the time of writing. The description, reads: "Listen am no saint neither a charity worker or - English teacher, my opponent willie limond sadly passed away and im absolutely devastated. He was a former world champion and just wanted to make a better life for his family.
"Can we all just gjve a couple quid for this great man give him the send off he deserves and any change over can go to his 2 boys as sponsorship for there boxing career. The limond name lives on go make your old man proud. Willie my old son wait for me at the pearly gates and we can get it on !!!"
Willie, a father of three, grew up in Garthamlock in Glasgow, taking up boxing at the age of six. He would go on to make his professional boxing debut in 1999, winning 42 of his 48 fights throughout his career.
He would also go on to become a British Light-Welterweight champion and a two-time Commonwealth champion, enjoying bouts against the likes of Erik Morales and Amir Khan.
