Congolese boxer killed at age of 27 by alleged drunk driver while training for fight
Elbi Bilindo Eseko passed away on Monday morning.
Congolese boxer Elbi Bilindo Eseko, also known as Bilindo Eseko, was killed on Monday morning while preparing for his upcoming fight. The 27-year-old was getting in some roadwork ahead of his six-rounder against Benoit Makangila – which was scheduled for Thursday in Kinshasa – when he was hit by a car.
According to African reports, the driver was allegedly intoxicated and Eseko was killed on impact. During a 14-fight career stretching back to 2013, Eseko went 11-3 as a professional and was the No1 ranked lightweight in his home country.
The young pugilist boxed mostly at domestic level, picking up the Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) Central Africa and All-Africa lightweight titles during his time in the sport.
In an emotional press release put out by the sanctioning body, they wrote: “Rest in Peace Bilindo Eseko! It is with great sadness that the Universal Boxing Organization™ (UBO) has learned of the passing of former UBO Central Africa and All-Africa Lightweight champion Bilindo Eseko, AKA Elbi Bilindo, from D.R. Congo.
Very sad to pass along the news of the passing of 27yr old ������������ Elbi Bilindo Eseko (11-3) [https://t.co/QjWXogpRo9] who was killed by an alleged drunk driver this morning while running in preparation for Thursday's gala in Kinshasa. May he rest in peace pic.twitter.com/U6UUbaoWqS
— Tim Boxeo (@TimBoxeo) December 19, 2022
“Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this talented young champion. Eseko (14-4, 3 KOs) was killed this morning, December 19, by an alleged drunk-driver while doing roadwork in preparation for an upcoming fight. He was only twenty-seven years old.
“Having won the UBO Central Africa title in December of 2017, he went on to win the All-Africa title in November of 2019 and made one successful defense in October of the following year. May he rest in peace!”
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Posting to Facebook, Eseko’s sparring partner and friend, Owandji Kabamba Lumumba, also reacted to the tragic news. “No not you champion wait for me to finish my mourning champion we have a fight to do in a few days champion please not now champion yesterday all night tosololi all fight strategy champion please not now please champion,” he wrote.
“While I am still mourning my father, death just took a brother from me again, one of my best sparring partner, while he was jogging this morning, he had an accident, hit by a car. Bilindo-eseko Show Yaya Elbi champion please champion not now.”