Mylik Birdsong (15-1-1) seemed to be back to his best in the welterweight division, fresh from a career-best victory over Jerry Bradford that saw him crowned as WBF international champion earlier this year. However, it has now been confirmed that the ‘Gifted Black Sheep’ has been shot dead, aged 31-years-old.
Birdsong suffered a first career defeat when he was stopped by undefeated Mexican Jose Vargas Quintana last November but four months later he was able to outpoint Bradford to get back to winning ways.
In a bizarrely-scored bout that was decided by one round in the eyes of two judges but was a whitewash in the opinion of the other, a bloodied Birdsong overcame Bradford in the main-event of the night in front of a sold-out crowd to leave the Californian well positioned for another step up in class.
The victory earned Birdsong a shot at Armenia’s Gor Yeritsyan (18-1), who lost a split-decision to now WBC world #15 Aram Amirkhanyan in his last outing, with a date pencilled in for October 26th – the victor likely left just one additional win away from a world ranking themselves.
Although, we will never know how far Birdsong could have progressed, after today’s reports that he has been shot dead in Los Angeles.
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According to The Daily Mail, Birdsong was chased down by a ‘dark-coloured SUV’ and ‘shot seven times in the torso’ before being pronounced dead at a nearby hospital last night.
“Welterweight Mylik Birdsong was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital on Sunday evening.
“Los Angeles police say he was standing outside his residence in the Florence-Graham area of the city when a ‘dark-coloured SUV drove by westbound on 87th and shot at the victim.’
“Birdsong tried but failed to escape to the safety of his home.
“‘The victim then ran towards his residence [when] two suspects from the vehicle started chasing him while shooting at him,’ an LAPD spokesperson told KTLA 5 News
“Birdsong fell in the driveway, which is where he was found by first responders. He suffered seven gunshot wounds to the torso.
“The suspects fled in the dark SUV, according to police.”
Everyone at Boxing Social would like to offer their heartfelt condolences to the friends of family of Malik Birdsong during this difficult time.
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