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Australian boxing legend Billy Dib reveals he has been diagnosed with stomach cancer – just six years after he tragically lost his first wife to leukemia
- Australian boxing legend Billy Dib reveals he has been diagnosed with cancer
- The 37-year-old Sydneysider described the situation as ‘terrifying’
- The former world champion lost his first wife to leukemia six years ago
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Former world boxing champion Billy Dib has revealed he has cancer, six years after he lost his first partner to leukemia.
Sydneysider, 37, described the situation as “terrifying” after severe abdominal pain led to the discovery of a tumor last week.
Dib, who held the IBO super featherweight title in 2008 and the IBF featherweight title in 2011, has since had surgery.
Former world boxing champion Billy Dib (pictured recovering from surgery with his son) has revealed he has stomach cancer, six years after he lost his first partner to leukemia
The 37-year-old Sydneysider (pictured with wife and child) described the situation as ‘terrifying’ after severe abdominal pain led to the discovery of a tumor last week
He said he was initially sent home from the hospital on painkillers before seeking another doctor, who found a two-inch cancerous tumor.
“Despite sharing the ring with some dangerous opponents in my career, this is one of the most terrifying situations I’ve been in,” Dib wrote in a Facebook post.
“I am so grateful that they took my pain so seriously and along with my brother Mohammad and Dr. Pham I am grateful that they took action that saved my life.
“Right now I’m recovering from the surgery and it’s been tough. I haven’t been able to eat for the past 9 days and am considering a return to the featherweight division (jokes).’
Dib took the IBO Super Featherweight title in 2008 and the IBF Featherweight title in 2011
Although he is recovering from surgery, the former world champion says he has a battle ahead of him.
“They took it out, they said they have it all, but I’m recovering and it’s very difficult,” he said. Big sports world.
“Who knows what God has in store for me. The tumor was behind my gallbladder.
‘I’m in bed now, I don’t know if I’ll need chemo in the future. They took the tumor out, but they want to test it and see what kind of cancer it is and if it’s spreading.’
Dib was recently in Melbourne for the world title rematch between George Kambosos and Devin Haney and has recorded a television show called The Challenge.
He was also at a press conference that turned physical last week, in support of his cousin, fellow boxer Billel Dib.
Dib lost his wife Sara in 2016 due to complications from her leukemia treatment.
Dib tragically lost his wife Sara in 2016 (pictured) due to complications from her leukemia treatment
The couple brought their marriage forward until two weeks after her diagnosis, and she died just six weeks later.
Dib remarried and had a son three years later.
He retired in 2018 but returned to the ring a year later and has fought five times since.
His last fight was on the Gold Coast in March, with a win over Jacob Ng, taking his record to 48 wins and six losses.