BOXER BUSTER MATHIS DIES AT 51

Boxing

Buster Mathis, the former heavyweight contender, has died, aged 51, after being found unconscious at his Michigan home. Mathis, who fought the heavyweight champions, Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, had been ill for several years. His son, Buster Mathis Jnr, is scheduled to fight the former champion, Mike Tyson, at Las Vegas on 4 November and said he intended to go ahead with the match.

Gabriel Ruelas, a Mexican resident in the United States, will defend his World Council super-featherweight title against Azumah Nelson, of Ghana, in Las Vegas on 2 December. The bout will be a third defence for Ruelas, who took the title a year ago by defeating James Leija, of the United States. The WBC also announced that the American David Gonzales will box his compatriot, Terry Norris, for the super-welterweight title in Las Vegas next Saturday.