Boxing hero Willie Limond, 45, fighting for life after suffering suspected seizure in his car
BOXING hero Willie Limond is fighting for his life after suffering a suspected seizure in his car.
The star – who is due to return to the ring next month after coming out of retirement – was discovered unresponsive before the alarm was raised on Saturday.
He was rushed to University Hospital Monklands in Airdrie where he remains in a critical condition.
The 45-year-old was found just four hours before he was to take part in a public training session at Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre.
A source said: “Willie was found in his car on a residential street in Coatbridge early on Saturday morning.
“The police were called and he was taken to hospital. He’s in a really bad way.
“They think he’s taken ill while in his car, thankfully there was no collision with anyone else.”
The ex-Commonwealth super featherweight and lightweight champion is due to face Geordie Joe Laws at the city’s Emirates Arena on May 3.
On Thursday Willie posted an update to fans on Instagram about the open sparring event.
He said: “Alright troops. Mind we’ve got the public training session on Saturday, 12 o’clock to 2 o’clock at the St Enoch Centre in Glasgow.
“I’m not even naming everyone that on the bill as I keep forgetting everybody’s that’s on it.
“We’re all going to be there. I feel good, see you on Saturday.”
The open session still went ahead – without Willie and Laws – with boxers from the undercard.
Willie remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Fans have thrown their support behind the fighter online.
MXP West in Larkhall said: “Not only is Willie a massive part of the gym, he’s also like a brother to myself and my own family.
“It’s been a devastating few days for his family.
“Willie is one of our own please everyone I am begging you please keep him in your prayers.
“I also ask that everyone respects his family’s privacy.
“His sons have been an absolute credit to him these last few days and I am so proud of how they are handling this.
“He also has a young daughter and partner, who is his absolute world.
“Keep praying everyone.”
Boxing author John Wight said: “Pray for Willie Limond. He’s in a bad way.”
Boxer Alex Arthur shared an old newspaper clipping with Willie and wrote: “My brother.”
One fan said: “The respect Willie Limond has from the sport of boxing is first class. I’ll pray for him.”
Another added: “I hope he’s OK. Willie has the utmost respect from everyone in the Scottish boxing community.”
Limond previously told how he aims to bounce back from his September defeat to fellow veteran Ricky Burns by changing his eating and drinking habits.
Last week he said: “After I lost to Ricky I changed my diet and the results have been a pleasant surprise.
“For well over 20 years prior to that I didn’t have a full night’s rest – I was getting by on three hours a night at best.
“However, ever since I made the changes things have been so much better. I cut out sugar and processed food.
“But I sleep for six hours every night now, and wake up feeling as energetic as a Duracell bunny.”
The scrapper’s son, Jake Limond, 20, is also on the same bill next month.
It’s understood Jake and fellow boxer brother Drew, 18, are being supported by Willie’s ring pals including ex WBO world champion Alex Arthur.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 8.05am on Saturday, 6 April, 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 medical staff describe his condition as critical.
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.”