British boxer Anthony Yarde has pleaded with people to stay at home after his father died after contracting COVID-19.
The light-heavyweight expressed his shock at the passing of his father and reiterated that he did not have any underlying health problems.
"I'm a very private person and [to be honest] I am still in shock, but maybe this can help people stay home," said Yarde on his Instagram page.
'My Dad passed away from this virus yesterday and he was fit, with no health issues. The more people go out and mingle, the longer this isolation will last and he more it will spread.
"I'm not a doctor but I do know that if you stay home, you are less likely to catch it or pass it on. It's seriously not worth the risk."
Frank Warren, his promoter, expressed his "sincere condolences to Yarde and his family".
"Coronavirus is an issue affecting all of us, but that doesn’t make the individual casualties any less tragic," said Warren.
"We hope that his fans listen to Anthony’s heartfelt plea for people to take the government's advice seriously so we can try and minimise the suffering of others."
Yarde's next fight was due to be against Lyndon Arther on 11 April but has been postponed due to the pandemic.
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