A heavyweight boxer, who fought Evander Holyfield and George Foreman, has passed away aged 66.
Adílson Rodrigues, full name José Adílson Rodrigues dos Santos, was a World Boxing Federation (WBF) heavyweight champion and World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas Heavyweight champ.
He passed away yesterday (24 Oct) aged 66.
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The Brazilian boxer also held the South American title for 14 straight years between 1986 and 2000.
Rodrigues was nicknamed ‘Maguila’ after the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Magilla Gorilla.
He only suffered seven defeats in 85 professional bouts.
He even beat British champion Johnny Nelson twice in August and December 1995.
Of his 77 victories, 61 came by way of knockout.
Rodrigues also fought Heavyweight legends Evander Holyfield and George Foreman in 1989 and 1990 respectively.
He was stopped in Round Two of both bouts.
He had been suffering from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) since 2013.
CTE, also known as ‘boxer’s dementia’, is a brain disorder caused by repeated trauma to the head.
According to reports, he had been hospitalised in a nursing home for the last few months of his life.
Born in Aracaju in Sergipe State, Rodrigues launched his professional boxing career in 1983.
The former bricklayer retired in 2000 after his loss to compatriot Daniel Frank.
He was well known for his aggressive style and tireless determination, as reported by Need To Know.
A spokesperson for the Brazilian Ministry of Sports said: “Outside the ring, Maguila was known for his charisma and generosity, always defending social causes and using his fame to help the less fortunate.
“The Ministry of Sports recognises Maguila’s importance to national sports and offers its condolences to his family, friends and fans who followed him throughout his brilliant career.
“Brazil has lost not only a boxing icon but also a man whose fight transcended sport.”
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