Boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. recently shared the devastating news that his son, DeAndre, died by suicide at the age of 32. Jones released a statement sharing the news as well as thanking God that he was able to see his son the night before his death. “Unfortunately, my son DeAndre took his life on Saturday,” said Jones in a statement shared on social media. “I’m so thankful that God allowed me to come Friday night to spend the last night of his life with me and the family.” He continued, “I know a lot of people are going through tough times right now, but nothing is worth taking your own life. God gives it and God should be the one to take it away.” He concluded the statement by saying, “Please respect our privacy while my family and I process this loss. Thank you for the love and support.”

In the 1990s, Roy Jones Jr. was widely considered the best boxer of his generation. He achieved multiple world titles in four different weight classes and became the first boxer to start his career as a junior middleweight and win a heavyweight title. Jones also represented the United States in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea where he won a silver medal.

Jones is married to his wife Natlyn where they share three children together: Roy Jones III, DeShaun and DeAndre. In a 2002 interview with Jet, Jones shared his thoughts on the importance of fatherhood. “Being a father is really important to me and it’s difficult because I’m gone a lot. But it’s kind of like, in essence, you expect that the father would be gone and doing stuff because he has to provide for home. I just have to be gone more than normal. Although that means home misses me more than normal, but they also get to enjoy a lot more than normal too,” he said. “It’s a sacrifice, but it’s worth the sacrifice for them I think because as long as I’m there, when I do have time, it’s good. I really enjoy the fact that I can be a father.”