A Lewisham boxer has thanked Lewisham University Hospital for saving his mother’s life after she fell ill with coronavirus.

Dan Azeez’s mum Kike, a carer, received treatment back in April as Covid-19 tore through London.

The light-heavyweight professional expressed his gratitude to the health workers who took care of his “best friend.”

Dan said: “I cannot thank you all enough for saving my mother’s life. Before being admitted to hospital my mum was in a real bad way – she was struggling to breathe, could not speak or move.

“We all feared the worse, but even when times got tough, you never gave up on her.

“I was not able to visit her in hospital but when she could finally speak to us on the phone, she was always praising the staff saying the nurses would go out of their way to help her.

“I think it is really important to thank the NHS right now; you are all doing a tremendous service for your country.

“Your lives are just as much on the line as the patients that you are caring for, which makes you all true heroes in my eyes.

“My mother is my best friend. She has been an important figure in my life, especially helping me build my boxing career.

“I attribute a lot of my success to her support – that is why I am saying thank you. My family and I will be forever indebted to you all.”

Dan is currently in training and is hoping to defend his English light-heavyweight title live on Sky Sports in September.