Chris Eubank’s son Sebastian, who was a boxer like his legendary father, died in July last year, just a week before his 30th birthday, after suffering a ‘major heart attack’.
A year after his death, his father and wife Salma Abdelati, 41, lived with him Dubaihave paid tribute to the anniversary.
Sebastian, the third oldest of Eubank’s five children, died of an undiagnosed heart condition while watching the sun set in the sea, 32 days after the birth of his son, Raheem.
The family’s wish is for the now one-year-old heart surgeon to be named in memory of his father who went by the name Alka Lion and fought in two professional fights and won both.
Chris Eubank, 51, told Sunday People: “I can’t tell you how proud I am of this man. He was my son and I loved him. Every moment we spent together was my favorite, but there were so many moments I missed when we weren’t together.’
Chris Eubank with two of his sons Sebastian Eubank (left) and Chris Eubank Junior (right) arriving at the NFL Pre-game Party in London
The father of one, who moved to Dubai where he lived with wife Salma and son Raheem, was named the Alka Lion and fought in two professional fights, winning both.
Sebastian’s heartbroken widow Salma Abdelati (pictured with Sebastian left and right) described how he ‘died after one of his favorite meals with one of his best friends’
Salma wants her son to become a surgeon and says, ‘If he takes track and field as a side job, I wouldn’t mind. For me, he must have a profession that helps people.’
The 41-year-old who lost her father shortly after her husband lost her husband added: ‘Seb was so proud of his father and felt very close to him. It was a deep and spiritual relationship. I see a lot of similarities between them.’
The Sudanese, who grew up in Britain, said the boxing legend heard her son say, “You’re amazing” and “It’s really fun,” which is reassuring.
She thinks that ‘pure’ Sebastian ‘would like me to be happy and move on’.
Sebastian leaves behind his wife Salma (pictured together) and his son Raheem. behind
But said her son cannot be “exposed to everyone” if Sebastian Eubank is a “very big person”.
She adds, “Who’s going to fill those shoes?”
In 2018, they met and fell in love in Abu Dhabi. She said, “We started dating right away. Within the first 10 days he said, “You will be the mother of my children – I have manifested you, I know you are the one.” He always wanted many children.’
She will visit his ‘peaceful’ grave in Abu Dhabi this week with her son who knows he will be ‘part of his life’. Chris agreed and said, “He’s always with me.”
Chris Eubank announced his passing last year, telling the “deep thinker who loved to challenge accepted wisdom” and was “loved and respected by all.”
The former boxer said: ‘I never thought I would write these words or experience the feeling I have now at the loss of my son. My family and I were devastated to learn of Sebastian’s death just days before what would have been his 30th birthday.
Chris Eubank’s son Sebastian died in Dubai, aged just 29, just days before his 30th birthday and a month after becoming a father
He leaves behind his wife Salma, his son Raheem who was born just a month ago, his mother Karron Meadows, brothers Nathanael, Chris Jr, Joseph, a sister Emily and numerous relatives and friends.
“Sebastian grew up in Hove, England, but in recent years made his living in Dubai, where he had a wide circle of friends and was a leader in adopting healthy lifestyles and alternative therapies.”
The boxing legend added: “Sebastian was not only a personal trainer and professional boxer, but also a deep thinker who loved to challenge accepted wisdom.
He was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be forever remembered by friends and family. As a family, we now kindly ask for space and privacy to celebrate his life and remember the son, the brother, the husband, the friend.”
Sebastian (pictured with his father) at the weigh-in ahead of the 2019 IBO World Super Middleweight Title fight
Salma Abdelati described how the boxer “died after one of his favorite meals with one of his closest friends” last year, saying that “there was evidence of a pre-existing heart condition that we were all unaware of.”
She said: ‘Dubai Police and coroner have confirmed that after a full autopsy, Sebastian Eubank died tragically of a massive heart attack while at sea and probably could not have been saved even if he had been out of the water. There was evidence of a pre-existing heart condition that we were all unaware of.
“While it is still very painful, it is comforting that Sebastian died after having one of his favorite meals with one of his closest friends while doing his favorite thing at his favorite place in Dubai, where he often went swimming. He stood in the water close to the shore and watched the sunset at Cove Beach in Dubai.
“I am grateful that he was able to spend a few short and happy weeks with his son before his death.”