In Memoriam: Here Are The Boxers Who Died In 2021
In 2021, the boxing community had to bid farewell to a few legends of the sport.
Here’s a look at the life of the boxers who added their glamour to boxing before passing away last year.
Leon Spinks
Leon Spinks died at 67 on February 5 in Henderson, Nevada. The boxing heavyweight rose to fame when he became an Olympic champion and went on to beat Muhammad Ali in 1978, taking the boxing world by a storm.
The former champ died while battling Prostate Cancer in hospital.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler
Hagler, a former middleweight champion, died on March 13 at the age of 66. His wife Kay Guarrera confirmed the news of his death in a Facebook post.
She wrote: “I am sorry to make a very sad announcement. Today unfortunately my beloved husband Marvelous Marvin passed away unexpectedly at his home here in New Hampshire. Our family requests that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
Vasile Belous
Belous was victim of a car crash in Moldova which occurred just a few days after his 33rd birthday.
Today, August 31st, Moldovan Boxer Vasile Belous passed away at the age of 33. He represented Moldova in the men’s Welterweight at the 2012 London Summer Games.https://t.co/0rYgyS1dur pic.twitter.com/ipBFwhoeEb
— Lost Olympians (@LostOlympians) August 31, 2021
The Olympian was pronounced dead by the Calaraseuca police on August 31.
Jeanette Zacarias Zapata
Zapata was only 18 when she succumbed to injuries that she had sustained in her fight against Marie Pier Houle. The teen boxing prodigy was placed in a medically induced coma after her body went into convulsions. Zapata died five days after her fight.
Taurai Zimunya
Zimunya died after failing to recover from the injuries he suffered in his fight against Tinashe Majoni in Zimbabwe. He was only 24.
Danny Kelly Jr
Kelly Jr. was a victim of shooting. The boxing star was killed on Christmas Eve in Maryland while he was traveling with his family to an event. The suspect vehicle pulled up next to his vehicle and opened fire at him.