Fijian boxer Ubayd Haider dies after being knocked out in IBO Asia Pacific title fight

Fijian boxer Ubayd Haider, who collapsed and fell into a coma after his fight with China’s Runqi Zhou last month, has died.

Haider, formerly known as Nathaniel Singh, lost by TKO to Australia-based Runqi during their IBO Asia Pacific Super Featherweight title fight on October 26.

The 25-year-old boxer collapsed after the fight and was admitted to Lautoka Aspen Hospital on the same night.

“Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return,” his elder brother, Sebastian Singh, wrote in a Facebook post on Monday, adding, “RIP….see you on the other side. Love you my bro. You’ll always be remembered !!! (sic).”

Ubayd Haider. Photo / Facebook

His opponent Runqi also expressed his condolences.

“Rest In Peace to Ubayd Haider, he was a fighter till the end. condolences and deepest sympathies to his family and the people of Fiji (sic),” he wrote in a post in the Fiji Boxing Updaes group, which has almost 53,000 members.

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A post shared by Runqi Zhou (@zhourunqirunqizh)

Local media reported that he suffered a brain haemorrhage and had undergone urgent brain surgery.

Dedicated dad and husband

Family man: Fijian boxer Ubayd Haider pictured with his wife Helen Singh and the couple's two young sons.

The boxer’s wife, Helen Singh, shared a heartfelt message online to her late husband.

“I thank God for the incredible 25 years of your life and the last five spent with me. Thank you for loving me and for the incredible memories we shared together.

“Thank you for giving me the best gift anyone could ask for...our beautiful boys.

“We have always been part of each other’s life and you’ve been there throughout my journey. You were my person, the love of my life and my soulmate and I absolutely hate that I must continue the rest of my life without you.”

Last week, his father told RNZ Pacific Haider was unresponsive and his family was hopeful he would make it out of the coma.

Fiji’s Boxing Commission had announced that it had launched an inquiry surrounding the circumstances that led to the boxer being hospitalised.

The commission’s chair told local media that the fight was sanctioned by the International Boxing Organisation under South Pacific Boxing Promotions.

Haider will be farewelled at a funeral service in Fiji today.

- additional reporting: NZ Herald