World Boxing Foundation International Welterweight Champion boxer Mylik Birdsong died at the age of 31 after being fatally shot in Los Angeles on Sunday (September 29), the Los Angeles Police Department announced via KTLA.
Birdsong, who was set to compete on the upcoming UFC Fight Pass card, was reportedly standing outside a vehicle with his girlfriend when the suspect vehicle approached.
“A dark-colored SUV drove by westbound on 87th and shot at the victim,” an LAPD spokesperson confirmed to KTLA. “The victim then ran towards his residence [when] two suspects from the vehicle started chasing him while shooting at him.”
Birdsong collapsed in the driveway and was rushed by first responders to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The boxer suffered seven gunshot wounds to the torso, according to police.
The suspects fled in the SUV and remain at large, while a motive has not yet been determined, police confirmed. Birdsong, known as 'King Mylik,' had a professional record of 15-1-1 with 10 knockouts, which included defeating Jerry Bradford by a unanimous decision to win the vacant World Boxing Foundation International Welterweight title on March 23.
Birdsong was scheduled to face Gor Yeritsyan at the Commerce Casino & Hotel in Los Angeles on the October 26 UFC Fight Pass card.