Light Heavyweight Champ Dawid ‘Gypsy’ Kostecki Dies in a Warsaw Prison at 38
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Warsaw, Poland (August 3rd, 2019)– Former IBC and WBF World Light Heavyweight champion Dawid ‘Gypsy’ Kostecki of Poland was found dead at age 38 after taking his own life in the Warsaw Prison where he was being held after being convicted of running a criminal enterprise consisting of drug trafficking, car theft, an escort service prostitution ring and income tax evasion. Kostecki was serving a five-year sentence after being convicted in the Polish courts a fifth time.
Kostecki fought professionally as a heavyweight, cruiserweight and light heavyweight between 2001 and 2014, compiling a record of 29-2 with 25 knockouts. After going to prison for the fourth time in 2012, Kostecki attempted a boxing comeback in 2014 after getting released and after more than 30 months of inactivity, but lost an eight-round decision to Andrzej Soldra.
A native of Rzeszow, Poland, Kostecki is survived by his wife and daughter. Other titles held by Kostecki include the WBC Baltic title, WBC Youth World title and the WBA Inter-Continental title, all at light heavyweight. All 39 of Kostecki’s pro bouts were in his native Poland. Kostecki is perhaps best remembered for his scheduled June 2012 bout with Roy Jones Jr., which never took place as Kostecki was sent to prison for two and a half years before the Jones bout could take place.
English