British boxer Anthony Yarde has announced that his father has passed away after contracting coronavirus.
The 28-year-old said his father was healthy and suffering from no underlying health issues and urged people to stay at home and stop ignoring lockdown measures.
“I’m a very private person and TBH I’m still in shock but maybe this can help people stay home,” Yarde wrote on Instagram.
“My dad passed away from this virus yesterday and he was fit with no health issues. The more people go out and mingle the longer this isolation will last and the more it will spread.
“I’m not a doctor but I do know if you stay home you are less likely to catch it or pass it on. It’s seriously not worth the risk.”
A statement released by Yarde’s promoter, Frank Warren, read: “Frank Warren and everyone at Queensberry Promotions would like to express sincere condolences to Anthony Yarde and his family after the untimely passing of his father.
“Coronavirus is an issue affecting all of us, but that doesn’t make the individual casualties any less tragic.
“We hope that his fans listen to Anthony’s heartfelt plea for people to take the government’s advice seriously so we can try and minimise the suffering of others.”
Yarde, who has won 19 of his 20 professional fights, was scheduled to fight for the Commonwealth light heavyweight title at the O2 Arena in April before the event was postponed due to the pandemic.
A further 260 deaths were confirmed in the United Kingdom on Saturday, taking the death toll to 1,019, with over 17,000 cases reported in total.
