Tragedy strikes as American boxer Carson Jones dies at 38 after surgery complications

Veteran American boxer Carson Jones has tragically died at the age of 38 after suffering complications from surgery on his esophagus.

Jones, who enjoyed two battles with Kell Brook before the Brit’s reign as IBF welterweight champion, won 44 of his 65 professional contests and was once ranked as high as No. 4 in the world.

His last outing came back in 2023, before he stepped away from boxing to undergo surgery on his esophagus.

Last week former opponent Caleb Truax revealed his good friend had fallen ill due to ‘complications during a surgical procedure’ – and now he has announced Jones’ heartbreaking death.

Truax, who held the IBF super-middleweight title from 2017-18, shared a photo of the pair together on X and wrote: ‘Rest in paradise to my man. Boxing lost a good one, too early.’

Jones had told his social-media followers earlier this year that he was struggling with gastrointestinal problems, which affects the digestive passageway that food and liquids travel through.

US boxer Carson Jones has died at the age of 38 after suffering complications from surgery

Jones is best known for his two memorable battles with British fighter Kell Brook (left)

‘I finally have surgery on my esophagus on Monday. I cannot wait. This s*** is driving me insane,’ he posted in January.

‘I’ve had a max of three bites of food per day for the last few weeks, with a loss of 35 pounds. Some days, there is no food or drink at all.’

Tributes have poured in for the Oklahoma-born fighter following the news of his tragic passing on Saturday.

Brook, who defeated Jones on points and then by stoppage in their two bouts, shared a post from another user on his Instagram story which reads: ‘Sad news to the boxing world today, Carson jones passed away. He was a true veteran to the sport with over 60 pro fights. His fights against @specialkellbrook really put kel on the map.’

Manager Sam Jones posted: ‘Such sad news about Carson Jones’.

While British referee Mark Lyson also wrote: ‘Very sad to hear the news about the passing of Carson Jones at just 38. RIP Champ.’

Former cruiserweight world champion Tony Bellew reacted to the sad news by posting three crying emojis on X.

As well as locking horns with Brook on two occasions, Jones fought against former welterweight world champion Antonio Margarito in 2017.

The veteran fighter announced he was undergoing surgery on his esophagus earlier this year

He also trained alongside the likes of Terence Crawford, Gennady Golovkin and Shane Mosley throughout his 65-fight career.

His final fight came in October 2023 against James Warren at light-heavyweight, which he won inside two rounds.

Jones narrowly lost on points when he first stepped into the ring with Brook, who captured the IBF crown after defeating Shawn Porter in 2014, with one of the judges scoring the contest a draw.

Yet when they met again one year later the future world champion earned the stoppage inside eight rounds.