Late-blooming cruiserweight Paul Bamba has died at age 35, it was announced Friday in a joint statement released by the Bamba family and his manager, R&B singer Shaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith.
The news was broken publicly in a post on Ne-Yo’s Instagram account:
“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 confident 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.”
Bamba began this year with a mission in mind. Treading water after three early losses in his first eight bouts, Bamba set a goal of replicating Mike Tyson’s ambitious pace of winning 13 fights in 1986, which culminated with Tyson winning the heavyweight title. Though none of the opponents Bamba faced in places like Cartagena, Colombia, or Sonora, Mexico, could be confused for household names, he actually outpaced Tyson, winning 14 times in 2024. His year was punctuated by a sixth-round stoppage win over former title challenger Rogelio “Porky” Medina last Saturday in Carteret, New Jersey.
The win earned him the WBA’s secondary “gold” cruiserweight belt, which he proudly displayed to the crowd of a few hundred people inside the Performing Arts Center.
That moment would prove to be Bamba’s curtain call inside the ring.
“We are heartbroken by his passing and kindly ask for privacy and understanding during this difficult time as we collectively navigate our grief,” the Ne-Yo and Bamba family statement concluded.
Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, Bamba got his first taste of combat not in the boxing ring but in the military, serving two years in the Marine Corps, working as an infantry machine gunner with the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines on a tour of Iraq. Diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder after his time in the military, Bamba struggled with holding on to jobs and ended up homeless, sleeping on the 6 Train in New York City for more than a year.
Bamba began boxing at Morris Park Boxing Club in The Bronx, New York, initially to collect the $10 per round being offered to spar the gym’s amateur boxers. Bamba eventually caught the eye of the gym’s head trainers, former WBA welterweight titleholder Aaron “Superman” Davis and Bobby Miles. The pair taught Bamba how to hold his hands and move his feet, giving him a positive outlet for his mental health struggles and a new career as a personal trainer.
“Boxing literally saved my life,” Bamba said in an interview with this writer earlier this year. “Whether I fight or whether I can teach people this sport, boxing, I truly feel as though, is my calling.”
After just three amateur bouts, Bamba turned pro in January of 2021, stopping Felix Alexis Cardenas in one round in Mexico. Bamba, who had begun earning a significant living as a white collar and celebrity boxing trainer in New York City, gravitated towards the trend of influencer boxing, fighting once on a Misfits Boxing card in April of 2021, losing a decision to Chris Avila.
Bamba had been scheduled in November of 2022 to face Tommy Fury, the half-brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, but the fight was canceled at the weigh-in due to disagreements over what weight the boxers would fight at. Bamba instead turned his attention to another social media celebrity – Jake Paul – and hoped that winning a belt could make him a viable opponent.
“That’s the idea, to beat up some YouTubers and then get right back to boxing,” Bamba said. “I want to be the best in the cruiserweight division, I know that will take a lot more time and practice, and that’s all I do all day.”
At the time of his passing, Bamba was living in Atlanta as Ne-Yo’s personal trainer, accompanying him on tour both domestically and abroad, and finding sparring partners at different gyms while on the road.
Mustafa Meekins, who trained Bamba for his win over Medina, paid tribute to his fighter on Instagram:
“Crazy how life turns. Never know what day it’s all going to end. Be grateful for every moment and appreciate it all. Much condolences to the friends and family. It was always a joy getting to know you.”
Bamba’s final record rests at 19-3 (18 KOs).
