Aussie sport mourns death of boxing great Troy Waters
Tributes are pouring in after former Australian boxing champion Troy Waters died at age 53.
The Australian hall-of-famer lost his battle with leukaemia, which he had been fighting since 2014.
One of three boxing brothers, each of who won a national title and fought internationally, Waters was one of Australia’s most stylish, accomplished and successful fighters of the 1980s and 1990s.
He unsuccessfully fought in three world title fights, most notably against American superstar and WBC champion Terry Norris in 1993.
He was outpointed by Italy’s IBF world champion Ginafranco Rosi in 1989, before title shots against two of the most feared and respected fighters of the era in the 1990s.
He was stopped in the third round of a brief but memorable contest by Norris, who he dropped in the second.
His last attempt was in 1994, when he lost a decision to Jamaica’s WBC titleholder Simon Brown.
Waters fought for the last time in 1998, finishing with a professional record of 28-5 with 20 KOs.
The former Commonwealth junior-middleweight champion was inducted into the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009.
He leaves behind wife Michelle, son Nate, 17, and daughter Shontae, 13.
He is being remembered as a gentleman and family man.
RIP Troy Waters.
A tough and talented boxer, but more importantly a gentleman. A friend to all and a great family man.
My condolences to the Waters family.
— Andy Raymond (@Andy_Raymond) May 18, 2018
Very sad to hear of the passing of one of Australia’s top pro’s Troy waters. He shared the ring with boxing greats Felix Trinidad & gave a major scare to Terry Norris in 1993. Rest easy champ. pic.twitter.com/I4lMDknEyg
— Billy The Kid (@BillyDib) May 18, 2018
The Central Coast Mariners would like to pass on its condolences to the family and friends of Australian Boxing Hall of Famer, Troy Waters who has tragically passed away.
Troy has always been a close friend of the Mariners and we will forever hold him in our hearts. RIP, Troy pic.twitter.com/t1kJQXUOVk
— Central Coast Mariners (@CCMariners) May 18, 2018
Vale Troy Waters (1965-2018) Australian Boxing great #ozboxing #boxing pic.twitter.com/D6gTyDjwUl
— Adam Auld (@Adam_Auld) May 18, 2018
Devastated to hear of the passing of Troy Hammer Waters. My all time sporting hero pic.twitter.com/3vIiU1JnOQ
— DJS Sport (@djssport) May 18, 2018
RIP Troy Waters. A proud Coastie and a brilliant boxer who deserved a world title. Watch his 1993 bout with Terry Norris. One of the all-time great fights. pic.twitter.com/opM4DYqgXT
— Troy Carey (@topcat1412) May 18, 2018
with AAP