Man arrested over murder of boxing champ Oyebola

The 19-year-old male is currently in custody at a west London police station following his arrest by detectives, who yesterday carried out searches of three addresses in Wandsworth.

Mr Oyebola's life support machine was switched off yesterday after he suffered terrible shooting injuries in a west London bar.

The 47-year-old, from north-west London, was pronounced dead by medical staff at New Charing Cross Hospital at 12.39pm, following the attack in the early hours of Monday morning.

The 6ft 9ins former British heavyweight champion was shot in the head and leg around 1am after asking three men to stop smoking in a covered courtyard area at the rear of Chateau 6 in Fulham Road.

Mr Oyebola, known as Big Bad during his fighting career, arrived at the bar about two hours earlier for a drink with the owner after finishing work at a nearby bar.

Police say an altercation may have broken out between three men and security following a disagreement over smoking in the courtyard at the rear of the premises.

Police believe Mr Oyebola attempted to intervene and assist security when he was shot.

His attackers, described as three black men, aged between 18 and 25, were seen fleeing the club on foot - apparently in different directions.

Four shots were fired, but no weapon has been found.

A post-mortem is due to be performed at Fulham mortuary on Monday.

In a statement Mr Oyebola's family said: "James's family would like to thank and praise the valiant efforts of the critical care unit at Charing Cross Hospital.

"The family would like to say thank you for the worldwide support they have received but would like to ask that their privacy be respected in this very sad moment of time.

"Big James was a fighter to the end and his legacy will live on in a charity foundation in his name to keep kids off the streets."

Tributes have also been paid by the boxing community, with promoter Frank Maloney hailing him as "a first-class family man and a wonderful role model".

Mr Oyebola, born in Nigeria, won 18 of his 23 fights, and was a bronze medallist at the 1986 Commonwealth Games.

After winning the WBC international heavyweight title in 1993, he retired in 1996.

The shooting took place 23 days after smoking was banned in pubs, clubs and restaurants in England.

Chateau 6, formerly the White Hart pub, is close to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium and is a popular haunt for football fans.

Police said there were at least 40 customers in the premises when the shooting took place, many of whom apparently panicked and ran away.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Scotland Yard's anti-gun crime unit Operation Trident on 020 8733 4704 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.