A boxer in his youth, Mandela receives tributes from fighters after his death

Nelson Mandela practiced boxing in his youth. Photo: Disclosure/AP

The news of the death of former South African president and racial equality activist Nelson Mandela caused a global commotion on Thursday night (05). A boxer in his youth, Mandela was known, among other things, for using sport to unify the people of his home country. After the death of “Madiba”, as he was known in South Africa, the MMA community also paid tribute to the Nobel Peace Prize winner.

“We have lost a great leader and example for all black people in the world,” he wrote Anderson Silva, remembering the racial aspect and Mandela's fight against the regime of apartheid, of racial segregation. “He is the true symbol of freedom”, he recalled Vitor belfort. Royce gracie classified Mandela as a “great man”. Middleweight Rafael “Sapo” Natal also talks about the importance of the former South African president. “If anyone represents me or represented me, it is Nelson Mandela,” he said.

Athletes from other countries also demonstrated. “Rest in peace Mandela. One of the most important people of our time, a true fighter”, published Swedish Akira Corassani. “Rest in peace,” they said Kelvin Gastelum, TUF 17 champion, and alistair overeem. UFC president Dana White also spoke out. “Rest in peace Nelson Mandela”, wrote the leader, along with an image of the political leader. Like the others, the former fighter and now Ultimate commentator Kenny Florian mourned Mandela's death and stated that “his memory lives on”.

On the night of this Thursday (05), in Pretoria (South Africa), Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95. “Madiba” was a victim and fought against the regime of apartheid in his country, which lasted between 1948 and 1993. The activist spent 27 years imprisoned by the regime, having only been released in 1990. Mandela actively participated in the process of democratic reconstruction of his country and was elected president in 1994, holding the position until 1999. In his official statement, current South African president Jacob Zuma declared: “He is now resting. He is now at peace. Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.”