End Of An Era As Boxing Legend Tiger Murunga Passes On

27th October 2018

Kenyan pioneering Olympic medallist in boxing dies while undergoing treatment in Nairobi

Dick 'Tiger' Murunga. PHOTO/FlickR
Dick 'Tiger' Murunga. PHOTO/FlickR
SUMMARY
  • The 1972 Munich Olympic Games Bronze Medalist and Kenya Professional Boxing Association founder Dick 'Tiger' Murunga passed away on Friday
  • His son, Mohammed Murunga, communicated the sad news of his demise, shortly after. Mohammed, currently resides in Minneapolis, United States
  • At the time of his death, ‘Tiger’ was confined to a wheelchair following a Spinal injury in March of 2002 sustained during training at a Hotel gym in Mombasa

NAIROBI, Kenya- The 1972 Munich Olympic Games Bronze Medalist and Kenya Professional Boxing Association founder Dick 'Tiger' Murunga passed away on Friday, October 26 while undergoing treatment at the Kenyatta National Hospital.

His son, Mohammed Murunga, communicated the sad news of his demise, shortly after. Mohammed, currently resides in Minneapolis, United States.

‘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, ‘Tiger’ was confined to a wheelchair following a Spinal injury in March of 2002 sustained during training at a Hotel gym in Mombasa.

Professional boxing

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.

“We are urging President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Kenyan Government, the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa and all Sports stakeholders to stand with us in this time of need.

“We ask them to help us appreciate and recognize the role our dear departed Father played in proudly putting our beautiful Country Kenya on the global professional boxing map,” Mohammed added.

Dick ‘Tiger’ Murunga is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren.