Boxing legend Jimmy Abbott passes away at 61

Former heavy-weight champion boxer Jimmy Abbott died at his home in Heidelburg at the age of 61 on Sunday evening.

According to Alzona Meyer from Heidelberg Volunteer Medics, they received a call about an elderly male patient who had difficulty breathing on Sunday night, 21 March.

Volunteer Medics is a group of community medics qualified at different levels of emergency care.

“Volunteers responded immediately and assisted on scene. At 20:40 Jimmy Abbott sadly passed away. It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to this great legend. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends,” Meyer said.

According to Meyer, Abbott succumbed to heart failure.

After retiring from a successful boxing career, Abbott started the Jimmy Abbott Ministries.

According to Meyer, Abbott had suffered a stroke some years ago and was assisted by his wife Annette who taught him how to talk again.

“His wife is absolutely wonderful, she took such good care of him. She is an exemplary wife and she is in our thoughts and prayers,” Meyer concluded.

Various people have taken to social media to express their sadness at losing such a great South African legend.

Sadly Jimmy Abbott passed away🙏Everything about Jimmy was big! His stature, his love for the Lions, his devotion to the Lord. Mooi loop my vriend, tot ons weer ontmoet🙏

— Kobus Wiese (@4KobusWiese) March 22, 2021

It's with sadness that the Lions Rugby Company learnt of the passing of Jimmy Abbott, boxing legend and one of the biggest Lions fans ever.

Jimmy was a regular at Emirates Airline Park and we will miss him dearly.

He passed away at his home on Sunday night. pic.twitter.com/kBSY9fGxpH

— Lions (@LionsRugbyCo) March 22, 2021

R.I.V. #JimmyAbbott a Big Rock has fallen. pic.twitter.com/e2M2XwFFrt

— Corné du Preez (@cornedupreez1) March 21, 2021