Robert Easter Jr, the former lightweight world champion, was shot three times by a gang of thieves.
Easter was mugged on Sunday night, and the attackers grabbed his three diamond rings, phone, and two gold chains.
Easter is undergoing surgery in Cincinnati to remove gunshot fragments, but he is expected to make a full recovery from his injuries.
Easter’s father and co-trainer confirmed the news to television network WTOL 11 in Easter’s hometown of Toledo, Ohio.
“Robert Easter Sr., his father, verified the news to WTOL 11 on Monday morning. He claimed the former IBF lightweight champion was shot three times after being confronted by a gang of thugs demanding money around 6:30 p.m., according to the report.
Easter, the former lightweight champion, had not fought since February of last year, when he defeated Ryan Martin by decision to earn his 23rd career victory.
Easter was in training and contemplating a return to the ring in early 2022 despite not having a fight scheduled when he was shot by the thieves.
However, he will have to postpone his ambitions to fight again in order to heal from his operation.
Easter went up to 140 pounds before defeating Adrian Granados in late 2019 after going winless in his previous lightweight contests.