Mylik Birdsong has been shot dead in Los Angeles(Image: Instagram/@kingmylik_theboxer)

Mylik Birdsong shot dead aged 31 weeks before boxer's fight on UFC card

Mylik Birdsong has been shot and killed at the age of 31 in Los Angeles, with the professional boxer pronounced dead after he was taken to hospital on Sunday evening

by · The Mirror

Professional boxer Mylik Birdsong has been shot dead just weeks before he was due to step in the ring again.

Birdsong, who had a 15-1-1 record, was tragically killed in Los Angeles after a shooting at around 4:50pm on Sunday. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) say Birdsong was standing outside a vehicle with his girlfriend when another vehicle drove by and fired at him.

"A dark-coloured SUV drove by westbound on 87th and shot at the victim," an LAPD spokesperson told local news outlet KTLA. "The victim then ran towards his residence [when] two suspects from the vehicle started chasing him while shooting at him."

Birdsong was tended to at the scene by first responders, but he was pronounced dead after being rushed to a nearby hospital. Police said the 31-year-old had sustained seven gunshot wounds to his torso.

Birdsong was the reigning World Boxing Foundation International Welterweight champion and was scheduled to fight Gor Yeritsan on October 26 at a Hollywood Fight Nights event which is set to air live on UFC fight pass.

He last fought back in March, defeating Jerry Bradford by unanimous decision. Investigations into the shooting are ongoing, with the LAPD looking for the gunmen and trying to establish a motive.

Just one day before the shooting, Birdsong shared a video on Instagram of him with his dog that has since been flooded with tributes to the boxer. "You got me in tears! You didn’t deserve this.. Love you ALWAYS friend," wrote one.

Birdsong was a professional boxer( Image: Instagram/@kingmylik_theboxer)
The 31-year-old was due to fight in October( Image: Instagram/@kingmylik_theboxer)

Another said: "I’m so sorry friend you didn’t deserve this RIP Mylik." A third wrote: "This breaks my heart ..He had just left my porch showing his new dog ..Malik was always respectful and kind ..Called me Moms ..my heart aches."

A fourth said: "You didn’t deserve this! I’m so sorry this happened to you. I just knew you were going to win your upcoming fight. Rip champ". Another wrote: "Rest in Heaven so hard to even grasp this so excited for you fight in 4 weeks. Prayers for the family and friends."

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