Boxing champion shot in the head for saying 'don't smoke'

 

Last updated at 11:34am on 24th July 2007 Comments (20)

James Oyebola: shot after he asked three men to stop smoking

 

A bouncer was shot in the face at point-blank range after asking three men to stop smoking at a London nightclub.

 

Former heavyweight boxing champion James Oyebola, 47, was confronted outside Chateau 6 in Fulham.

 

One of the men produced a gun and fired several times. Mr Oyebolawho was also hit in the leg, is critically ill today in hospital and is under armed police guard. His partner and their two children are thought to be with him.

 

The 6ft 9in ex-fighter, known as Big Bad, had been working on the door of another club and had dropped in at Chateau 6 for a drink with the owner.

 

Witnesses said Mr Oyebola had politely stepped in to help staff who had asked the three men to observe the ban on smoking. "He wasn't being aggressive," said one.

 

"He pointed out that smoking was now against the law.

 

"He was just being a good citizen but the three saw it as a sign of disrespect. On their way out one pulled out a gun and began firing at James." The suspects, who

 

police described as three black men, ran off following the shooting shortly before 1am yesterday. A handgun was found nearby.

 

Police sealed off the scene opposite Fulham Broadway Tube station.

 

Police stand outside the Chateau 6 club in Fulham

 

 

Nigerian-born Mr Oyebola was on a life support machine in intensive care today but according to reports is not expected to survive.

 

His former manager Frank Maloney said: "James is a gentle giant. This is truly shocking."

 

Joanna Gressler, who works at nearby restaurant La Vina, said: "It's terrible. He is such a nice, friendly guy. He used to come in here a lot and was always smiling. He is very distinctive because he is so tall and big." Another local woman said: "There's still blood all over the pavement.

 

"It's horrible to think about what happened. I was only in there a couple of nights before. It's a small bar with a dance floor at the back. It used to be a rough Chelsea supporters' pub called the White Hart but it's much smarter now."

 

Oyebola celebrates victory after his British heavyweight WBC title fight at Cardiff

 

 

Chateau 6 advertises itself as "Fulham's premier late-night venue". Its garden bar is said to be "perfect for private parties" and has a retractable roof.

 

Police are holding a meeting this afternoon to brief the area's bar managers on security.

 

Mr Oyebola is good friends with Chateau 6's owner, thought to be an Irish man who is said to be devastated. The restaurantbar remained shut today.

 

The shooting is being investigated by detectives from Trident team who deal with gun crime in the black community.

 

Mr Oyebola's partner of 15 years and his children, who are thought to be secondary school age, are keeping a bedside vigil.

 

Detective Chief Inspector Scott Wilson said: "I would urge anyone with information to come forward to police and assist us in bringing those responsible for gravely injuring-James to justice. We are still trying to piece it together. It would appear that James was trying to be the peacemaker and the altercation over smoking escalated from there.

 

"It was over very quickly, probably a matter of seconds."

 

He said they were trying to track down three men who were seen running away in the direction of Fulham Broadway and Harwood Road.

 

 

Mr Wilson added: "James was a family man and has a longterm partner who two children who are absolutely distraught by what has happened. Without a doubt to shoot a man like this is absolutely deplorable and these people need to be caught."

 

Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at Trident on 020 8733 4704. If you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

 

Mr Oyebola was a bronze medalist at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in the super heavyweight category in which Lennox Lewis won gold. He also won the WBC international heavyweight title in 1993.

 

He won 18 of his 23 professional bouts - 16 by knockout - and drew one, losing the remaining four. He retired in 1996 after losing his final bout to Julius Francis.

 

In February 1995 Mr Oyebola stood trial for the alleged rape of a former girlfriend but was acquitted.

Boxer shot in smoking row dies

 

James Oyebola asked customers to stop smoking

 

A former British heavyweight boxer who was shot in the head during a row over smoking at a bar has died after his life support machine was switched off.

James Oyebola, 47, was shot at the back of Chateau 6 in Fulham Road, south-west London, early on Monday, after asking customers to put out their cigarettes.

 

Police said he died at 1239 BST after his life-support was switched off. Family and friends were at his bedside.

 

The shooting is now being treated by police as a murder inquiry.

 

Detectives have made an appeal for witnesses.

 

Det Ch Insp 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."

 

A statement from Mr Oyebola's family said: "James's family would like to thank and praise the valiant efforts of the critical care unit at Charing Cross Hospital.

 

"The family would also like to say thank you for the world wide support they have received but would ask that their privacy be respected in this very sad moment of time."

 

'Saddest times'

 

The family said a charity foundation would be set up in his name to help keep local children off the streets.

 

Boxing promoter Frank Maloney said: "James had to fight tooth and nail for everything he achieved in life and then he dedicated himself to encouraging young kids to do the same.

 

"This is one of the saddest times I have ever experienced."

 

Officers from Operation Trident, which deals with gun violence within the black community, have searched three addresses in the Wandsworth area in connection with the shooting.

 

Doctors at Charing Cross Hospital had declared Mr Oyebola brain dead on Thursday.

 

Three suspects

 

Police said he was shot after asking three men to stop smoking in a covered courtyard area at the back of the bar, on the Fulham Road.

 

Police believe three black suspects, aged between 19 and 25, ran from the club in separate directions.

 

Mr Oyebola, who was born in Nigeria, won 18 of his 23 fights and was a bronze medallist at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.

 

He won the WBC international heavyweight title in 1993 and retired in 1996.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6919403.stm

Man bailed in boxer death inquiry

 

A man arrested by police investigating the murder of a former British heavyweight boxer during a row over smoking has been released on bail.

 

James Oyebola, 47, was shot at the back of Chateau 6 in Fulham Road, south-west London, early on Monday, after asking customers to put out their cigarettes.

 

He died in hospital on Thursday after his life support was switched off.

 

A 19-year-old, arrested in West London, was bailed to return mid-August pending further inquiries, police said.

 

Doctors at Charing Cross Hospital declared Mr Oyebola brain dead on Thursday.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6920413.stm

What a crazy people, shot him just because he asked them to stop smoking:stunned:

 

What if he asked them to get out the nightclub?:thinking:

:stunned: Shot the guys

fucking stupid people with fucking stupid guns.

crazy ppl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!