Boxing legend Adilson 'Maguila' Rodrigues dies aged 66 following multiple health complications

Brazilian boxing fable Adilson 'Maguila' Rodrigues has passed distant astatine the property of 66.

He died in Sao Paulo connected Thursday pursuing aggregate wellness complications.

Rodrigues was a WBF heavyweight champion, a WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion, and helium held the South American rubric for 14 consecutive years betwixt 1986 and 2000.

His nonrecreational vocation ended successful 2000 with his grounds speechmaking 77 wins, 7 losses and 1 draw.

Some of those defeats were against genuinely elite opposition.

Rodrigues was knocked retired by Evander Holyfield successful 1989 and past by George Foreman the pursuing year. Both of those fights took spot successful Las Vegas.

Among the celebrated fighters who mislaid to Rodrigues was erstwhile cruiserweight satellite champion Johnny Nelson successful 1995. Nelson is present champion known for his relation arsenic a Sky Sports pundit.

In 2013, Rodrigues was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

His decease this week came aft helium had received 28 days of attraction for pneumonia and abdominal pain.

Following his passing, thousands of fans took to societal media to stock tributes.

One instrumentality tweeted: 'We accidental goodbye to a large icon of Brazilian sports, Adilson Rodrigues, known arsenic Maguila. A combatant who, with his determination, took Brazilian boxing to planetary heights. Inside and extracurricular the ring, Maguila was ever an illustration of overcoming obstacles, facing challenges.'