Former Coventry boxer found dead at city homeless shelter

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Coventry boxing hero Richard Evatt - once described as “one of the hardest hitting fighters in the world” - has been found dead at a homeless shelter.



Richard ‘Tiger’ Evatt collapsed and died at the Salvation Army hostel in Hillfields on Monday night, aged just 38.

The former featherweight, believed to have been six months away from being world champion, was known for his spectacular knock outs.

The father-of-three challenged for Commonwealth and world honours during an exciting 25-fight professional career - including 12 knock-out wins inside three rounds.

Top promoter Barry Hearn said of him: “Pound for pound, he’s one of the hardest hitting fighters in the world.”

Tear-away Richard, who had fallen on hard times, began to show his talent as an amateur with Triumph Amateur Boxing Club in Tile Hill Lane. In 1993 and was crowned ABA bantamweight champion.

Wearing tiger-skin shorts, he often dyed his hair a similar colour and is best remembered for his titanic bout against two-weight world champion Junior Jones in 1999.

After 10 rounds he was ahead of the American on the judges’ score cards in their clash for the IBO featherweight championship.

But he was knocked down by a left hook in the final round and the referee signalled the finish when he groggily got to his feet.

Neil Simpson, the former British and Commonwealth light-heavyweight champion, said: “Richard had dynamite in his fists.

“He had so much power for a small fella. It was unbelievable. I had never seen anything like it.

“I feel for his family. It’s such a shame.

He added: “Junior Jones was a top American known throughout the world. Richard was winning the fight, then got caught. I think his career suffered after that.”

Richard is known to have recently been discharged from University Hospital with a broken jaw.

Former English middleweight champion Steve Bendall learned to box alongside Evatt at the Triumph Amateur Boxing Club.

“We were good mates for years,” he said.

“We were room-mates when we boxed for England. Richie could hit like a hammer and I’m saddened by the news.”

Chunlee Johal was also a close friend and trained Richard at his Pro-Gym on Foleshill Road before an ill-fated comeback in 2007.

He said: “When he was fully focussed he could beat anyone and away from the ring he had a heart of gold.

“He was very loyal and loved his family. We will all miss him.”

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Death of boxer Richard 'Tiger' Evatt: Police arrest murder suspect

A 32-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Coventry boxing hero Richard Evatt.

Richard ‘Tiger’ Evatt was found collapsed on Monday night at the Salvation Army Hostel in Harnall Lane West, Hillfields, where he had been staying.

He was taken to University Hospital but was pronounced dead hours later, aged just 38.

The former featherweight won the IBO intercontinental title and challenged for Commonwealth and world honours during an exciting 25-fight professional career – including 12 knock-out wins inside three rounds.

Tributes to him poured in on Tuesday and news of the arrest will send shockwaves through the world of boxing.

The 32-year-old is currently in police custody.

•Full story in Wednesday's Coventry Telegraph.

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Man is bailed over death of boxer Richard 'Tiger' Evatt

A 32-year-old man arrested in connection with the death of a former boxer in Coventry has been released on bail.

Richard Evatt, 38, died in hospital after being found at a homeless hostel in Harnell Lane West on Monday.

A post-mortem examination will take place on Wednesday to establish the precise cause of death which is being treated as unexplained, police said.

The boxer, who was nicknamed Tiger, won the ABA bantamweight title in 1993.