Hannah Rapp dead: US boxer dies aged 26 as tributes pour in | Boxing | Sport

A US boxer has died aged 26 after being allegedly hit by a car while she was cycling. American boxer Hannah Rapp died on Saturday, July 18, in Texas.

At the time of the incident, the athlete was allegedly passed by a car which suddenly came to a stop, then allegedly reversed into her, according to the Brazos County sheriff’s office. The Indiana native was rushed to hospital, but was sadly pronounced dead. A man has been arrested and charged with manslaughter.

Tributes have been pouring in following the death of the 26-year-old athlete.

World Boxing Council (WBC) president Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement: “She was an exceptional boxer, but above all, an invaluable member of our boxing family.”

Tiara Brown, to whom Rapp lost in June in the WBC women’s featherweight championship, called the late boxer the “best dance partner I have ever faced as a pro”.

She also said Rapp had asked for her autograph in the lead-up to the fight. She recalled: “It filled my heart because we were getting ready for war, yet she was still asking for my autograph. We fought a great fight. It was my honour to share the ring with her.”

YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul also paid tribute to Rapp, describing her as a “warrior”.

He wrote on social media: “Gone too soon. Condolences to her entire clan. RIP warrior, Hannah Rapp.”

The WBC issued a long statement paying tribute to Rapp’s career, saying: “The World Boxing Council, its president Mauricio Sulaiman Saldivar, and the entire international boxing community are deeply moved and in mourning following the painful loss of our beloved champion, Hannah Rapp.

​”Hannah was not only an exemplary monarch and a relentless warrior inside the ring, but also a beacon of light whose dedication and charisma left an indelible mark on the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) and the great WBC family. Her passion for the sport and her unwavering spirit will always be remembered as an example of excellence and nobility.

“​The WBC and the NABF are grateful to have been part of her journey and stand in full solidarity with her family and friends during this time of profound darkness.

​”We ask the global boxing community to lift up a prayer for the eternal rest of Hannah, a champion who always wore the green and gold with pride, dignity, and honor. ​Rest in peace, Hannah Rapp.”