Driver of boxing legend Ali Tazeem killed in car crash has also died

The driver, aged 18, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition as Ali Tazeem was declared dead at the scene
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An 18-year-old driver who was critically injured in a crash which killed a teenage boxing star dubbed the “next Amir Khan” has died.

Promising boxer Ali Tazeem was killed in a horror crash in Wolverhampton in the early hours of Easter Sunday.

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Police were scrambled to Merridale Road in the city after the Vauxhall Corsa Tazeem was travelling in hit a wall.

He was tragically declared dead at the scene while the driver, also 18, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

The driver, who has not been named, died over the weekend.

On Sunday more than 5,000 wellwishers gather in Aston Park in Birmingham to pay their respects to Tazeem.

The site of a fatal crash on Merridale road in Wolverhampton in which teenage boxer Ali Tazeem and his driver died The site of a fatal crash on Merridale road in Wolverhampton in which teenage boxer Ali Tazeem and his driver died
The site of a fatal crash on Merridale road in Wolverhampton in which teenage boxer Ali Tazeem and his driver died

He only signed his professional contract with Probellum three weeks before the fatal crash.

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The Midlands sensation was tipped to have a massive future in the paid ranks following a hugely successful amateur career.

Tazeem won won 15 international gold medals from 51 bouts, losing on just six occasions.

What did Amir Khan say about Tazeem’s talent for boxing?

Boxing legend Amir Khan likened the youngster to himself, having previously said: "He will be the next me and make history."

Speaking after Tazeem claimed two gold medals in the Bristol Boxing Cup in 2020: "I definitely think he is the next big thing for sure.”

Ali Zinkal, 42, eye Witness of fatal crash in which teenage boxer Ali Tazeem and his driver died Ali Zinkal, 42, eye Witness of fatal crash in which teenage boxer Ali Tazeem and his driver died
Ali Zinkal, 42, eye Witness of fatal crash in which teenage boxer Ali Tazeem and his driver died

What did local people say about the fatal crash?

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Horrified locals rushed to save Tazeem after hearing a "loud bang" when the car hit the brick wall.

Dad-of-two Ali Zinkal, 42, said: "I ran out of my flat in my boxer shorts and went over to the car.

"I put my fingers to the passenger’s neck to check for a pulse but there was none. He was gone.

"It is so sad to see a young man’s life end like that. The road is a death trap."

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