Boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. took to social media on Monday to announce that his 32-year-old son DeAndre had died by suicide. Jones, 55, announced his son’s death on X (formerly Twitter), stating that he was thankful he got the opportunity to spend time with him before his passing.
“Unfortunately, my son DeAndre took his life on Saturday,” he wrote. “I’m so thankful that God allowed me to come home Friday night to spend the last night of his life with me and the family. I know a lot of people are going through tough times right now, but nothing is worth taking your own life. God gives it and God should be the one to take it away.”
He added: “Please respect our privacy while my family and I process this loss. Thank you for the love and support.”
Jones’ management said the retired boxer has five other children, NBC News reported. The 55-year-old became a professional boxer in 1989 and went ahead to win four weight divisions from middleweight to heavyweight, per the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Jones wrote his name in the history books when he became the first middleweight champion in 106 years to win the heavyweight title and the second light heavyweight champion to attain that feat after emerging victorious against John Ruiz in their WBA bout in 2003, the Hall of Fame said.
Jones hung up his gloves in 2018. He won 66 bouts (47 knockouts) and lost 9.
