Former middleweight and super-middleweight champion Chris Eubank has led tributes in memory of his son, fellow fighter Sebastian Eubank, who passed away in Dubai. Initial reports said it was a drowning, but a post mortem autopsy has confirmed a preexisting heart condition that led to the attack just days before his 30th birthday.
What We Know:
- Sebastian Eubank was the third oldest of the five children of Chris Eubank. He leaves behind his wife, Salma, and their one-month-old son Raheem. He grew up in Hove, England, but had moved to Dubai in recent years. He was a leader in the health and alternative therapy industries as both a personal trainer and professional boxer. He made his boxing debut in February of 2018 under the name Alka Lion and his MMA debut last year.
- Initial reports from The Sun and other news outlets reported Eubank had drowned. Salma, Eubank’s wife, released a statement with new details provided to her by officials. She said, “Dubai Police and the Coroner have confirmed that after a full post-mortem Sebastian Eubank tragically died from a massive heart attack whilst in the sea and probably could not have been saved even if out of the water.” Sebastian had just enjoyed dinner with his friend and fellow fighter Anthony de Bruijn before CCTV saw him bringing these things to the beach for a sunset swim. De Bruijn said Anthony was so happy to be in Dubai, focusing on being a husband and father to his newborn son.
- In a statement released by the family, the public was asked to respect their privacy at this time, “He was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be forever in the thoughts of friends and family. As a family, we now kindly ask to be given space and privacy to celebrate his life and remember the son, the brother, the husband, the friend.” His brother, Chris Eubank Jr., a fellow bro boxer, tweeted in memory of his brother. He wrote, “I haven’t cried since I was 12 years old…yesterday I cried the whole day. I’m sorry I wasn’t there to watch our back like a big brother’s supposed to.”
- Heavyweight boxer Joe Joyce shared his condolences to the family on social media, describing the news as devastating. He went on to say, “You will be missed, rest in power brother!” Former boxing world champion Joe Calzaghe also made a statement following the announcement. He said, “Really saddened to hear the news of the passing of Seb Eubank. Thoughts and prayers to Chris and family.”
The Eubank family continues to grieve the loss of their son as more details become available. Father Chris Eubank said in his initial statement, “Never did I every imagine I would write these words to experience the feeling I now have at the loss of my son.”
