By Jake Donovan

The Garfield Park gym at which Chicago-based boxer Ed Brown plied his craft has a wall dedicated to the memory of more than 20 boxers whose lives were tragically taken at the hands of street violence.

Sadly, the 25-year old boxer has now become a part of that troubling statistic. Once a budding and undefeated welterweight prospect, Brown's life was tragically cut short as he died Sunday afternoon following multiple gun shot wounds suffered Saturday overnight in Chicago. 

The news was confirmed to  by his longtime coach George Hernandez. 

Brown was hospitalized after suffering multiple gun shots, including one to the head, while sitting in a parked car in the East Garfield section of Chicago. The welterweight had reportedly wrapped up a late-night gym session and was in a car with a 19-year old woman when gun shots rained down from a silver vehicle which had pulled alongside him.

Both victims were rushed to Mt. Sinai Hospital. The woman was wounded but listed in good condition, while medical staff raced to Brown's aide to reduce brain swelling. Family and friends were well aware that his chances of survival were grim, but turned to hope and will that the fighter in him would prevail.

The tragic incident marked the third time in his young life that Brown had suffered gun shot wounds. He also lost his mother to violence, as she was trampled to death during a stampede at a Chicago nightclub in 2003.

Brown once dreamed of becoming a two-time Olympian, with aspirations of serving on the 2012 and 2016 teams, The wish instead transitioned to his turning pro later that year. He was on the verge of celebrating his fourth year in the pro ranks later this month, but sadly falls 10 days short of seeing that milestone.

He managed a perfect ring record but his career appearing to take a turn in the right direction after the formation of Victory Boxing, a promotional company founded by veteran matchmaker Chris Middendorf and Brown's manager Cameron Dunkin, both of whom are considered among the very best at what they do. 

The final win of his career came on a Victory Boxing show in Philadelphia, scoring an eight-round decision over Albert Mensah this past November. His career ends with a 20-0 (16KOs) mark, while the next fight will be for homicide detectives to speak on his behalf and find those who committed the horrific act.

No arrests have been made as this goes to publish, nor was a motive for the shooting immediately made known.

Twitter: @JakeNDaBox_v2