Kenyan boxers are the morning sudden death of former Olympic Games welterweight bronze medalist and Kenyan professional boxer Richard Murunga.
Through his son’s Mohammed Murunga’s announcement, the 1972 Olympic Games bronze medalist and founder Kenya Professional Boxing Association founder Dick ‘Tiger’ Murunga died on at the Kenyatta National Hospital while undergoing treatment.
He said in his press release :”Tiger’, who was also the 1972 African Welterweight Champion, was undergoing treatment due to a short illness. It is with great sadness that we the Murunga Family announce that Dad, who was a left handed boxer passed on yesterday afternoon,” Mohammed mourned.
At the time of his death, the 65 year old was confined to a wheelchair following a Spinal injury in March of 2002 sustained during training at a Hotel gym in Mombasa.
He had retired from the sport four years earlier but was summoned by boxing administrators to return to retired professional boxing in New York.
The legendary boxer was among the Sports retired personalities awarded during the inaugural National Olympic Committee Gala.
Dick ‘Tiger’ Murunga is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren