Shot boxer dies from injuries

Former champion boxer James Oyebola, who was shot in the head in a row over smoking at a London bar, has died.

Mr Oyebola, 47, was left brain head after being shot in the head in a London nightclub.

Scotland Yard said he was pronounced dead at 12.39pm in the High Dependency Unit of Charing Cross Hospital.

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Wilson said: "This is now a murder inquiry and we need the people who were in the club that night to come forward as they may have information that could help us piece together what happened last Sunday night.

"James's family are devastated. I would urge anyone with information to come forward to police and assist us in bringing those responsible for murdering James to justice."

Officers from Operation Trident carried out searches of three addresses in Wandsworth today in connection with the investigation.

Mr Oyebola was shot in the head and leg in a covered courtyard area at the rear of Chateau 6 in Fulham Road, west London. Four shots were fired but no weapon has been found.

The 6ft 9ins former champion, born in Nigeria, won 18 of his 23 fights, and was a bronze medallist at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. After winning the WBC international heavyweight title in 1993, he retired in 1996.

Known as Big Bad during his fighting career, he had arrived at Chateau 6 at about 11pm on Sunday for a drink with the owner after finishing work at a nearby bar.

He was shot shortly before 1am after intervening to help staff who had asked three men to stub out their cigarettes. It was 23 days after smoking was banned in pubs, clubs and restaurants in England.

His attackers, described as black and aged between 19 and 25, fled the club on foot - apparently in separate directions.

Chateau 6, formerly the White Hart pub, is close to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground and is a popular haunt for football fans.

Police said there were at least 40 customers inside the premises when the shooting took place, many of whom apparently panicked and ran away.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Scotland Yard's anti-gun crime unit Operation Trident on 020 8733 4704 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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