It was the phone call every parent has nightmares about. In July 2021, the news broke that sent shockwaves through the boxing world and beyond: Chris Eubank Sr looses son. Sebastian Eubank, the third-oldest of the Eubank children, was gone.
He was only 29.
The details that emerged later were both peaceful and gut-wrenching. Seb, as he was known, was found dead in Dubai, a place he’d made his home. He wasn't in a dark alley or a hospital bed. He was at the beach. He was standing in shallow water, watching the sunset at Cove Beach, just days before his 30th birthday.
The Tragic Cause of Death
For a while, everyone was guessing. Was it a training accident? Was it the sea? Honestly, the truth was something nobody saw coming because Seb was arguably the healthiest guy in the room. He was a personal trainer, a professional boxer, and a guy obsessed with "clean living" and alternative therapies.
A post-mortem eventually cleared the air. Sebastian suffered a massive heart attack while in the water.
His widow, Salma Abdelati, later explained that he had a pre-existing heart condition that none of them knew about. It was a ticking time bomb. Even if he hadn’t been in the sea, the doctors said he probably couldn't have been saved. It’s a bitter pill to swallow. He was standing there, enjoying a meal he loved, at his favorite spot, and his heart just stopped.
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A Legacy Left Behind
The timing makes it ten times worse. Seb had become a father only a month before. His son, Raheem, was just 32 days old when his dad passed away.
Think about that for a second.
Salma later found a "treasure trove" of videos on Seb's phone. While she was sleeping during those early weeks of parenthood, Seb was recording daily messages for Raheem. He’d talk about the baby's nose, his cheeks, and how much he loved him. It’s the kind of detail that makes your heart ache, but it's also a beautiful gift for a boy who will never remember his father’s voice in person.
How Chris Eubank Sr Coped (Or Didn't)
Chris Eubank Sr has always been a character. The monocle, the cane, the eccentric way of speaking—it’s a suit of armor. But when he lost Sebastian, that armor cracked. He released a statement saying, "Never did I ever imagine I would write these words or experience the feeling I now have at the loss of my son."
But grief isn't a straight line.
In the years following the tragedy, we saw a different side of the legend. He became, by his own admission, "extreme." He grew distant from his other son, Chris Eubank Jr. He even publicly called for Junior’s fight against Conor Benn to be banned, terrified he’d lose another child to the ring.
"I've lost a son. I will not lose another one. I will not lose another one."
That wasn't the "Simply the Best" showmanship we're used to. That was a father who was fundamentally broken. There was a period where the two didn't speak. Junior later said the death of Sebastian "consumed" their father. It sent him off the rails. He’d show up at press conferences and act erratically, sometimes even insulting Junior’s team.
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It was messy. It was human. It was grief played out on a public stage.
The Boxer Who Preferred Poetry
People often forget that Sebastian was a fighter in his own right. He followed the family tradition, winning two professional bouts. But he wasn't just a carbon copy of his dad or his brother.
- He fought in MMA.
- He wrote poetry.
- He was a deep thinker who challenged "accepted wisdom."
- He was a leader in the Dubai fitness scene.
His brother, Chris Jr, wrote a heartbreaking tribute saying he hadn't cried since he was 12 until the day Seb died. He promised to treat Raheem like his own son. And by all accounts, the family has circled the wagons to make sure Seb’s legacy isn't just about a tragic headline.
Moving Forward with The Sebastian Eubank Foundation
If you're looking for a silver lining, it’s the Sebastian Eubank Charitable Foundation. His family launched it to continue the work Seb was passionate about—helping the less fortunate and promoting health. It's a way to keep his name alive that doesn't involve a boxing ring or a coroner's report.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Families
When a tragedy like this happens to a high-profile family, it serves as a wake-up call. Here is what we can actually take away from this story:
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- Heart Screenings Matter: Even if you’re an elite athlete like Sebastian, undiagnosed heart conditions (like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) can be silent killers. If you have a family history of sudden cardiac issues, get a professional screening.
- Document the Small Stuff: Salma finding those videos of Seb talking to his newborn son is a reminder to record the "boring" stuff. Those clips are now the most valuable things she owns.
- Grief is Messy: If someone is acting "erratic" after a loss—like Chris Sr did—understand that trauma changes the brain's wiring. Patience is usually the only way through.
- Check on the "Strong" Ones: Sebastian was the healthy, strong, "zen" guy of the family. Sometimes the people who seem the most put together are the ones carrying the most.
The story of how Chris Eubank Sr looses son is a reminder that no amount of fame, money, or physical strength can protect you from the fragility of life. Sebastian was a "young lion," and his absence is still felt every time his father or brother steps into the spotlight.