Legendary boxer Bobby Chacon, who held world titles in two different weight classes, has died at the age of 64, according to The Los Angeles Times.
Box Rec called Chacon “one of the most exciting fighters of his generation” but said his life was “high in tragedy.”
The president of the World Boxing Council confirmed the death of Chacon – whose nickname was famously “Schoolboy” – on Twitter on September 7:
With profound sadness I have learned that our dear champion Bobby Chacon passed away this morning . May God have him now RIP . @WBCBoxing
How did Chacon die?
The boxer died from a fall, says The New York Daily News.
According to USA Today, Chacon “struggled for years from pugilistic dementia.”
The Los Angeles Times said Chacon “fell and struck his head in a Hemet care facility” early on September 7 and died the same day from those injuries. The Associated Press said Chacon was in hospice care for dementia and died with his family at his side.
On Facebook, people remembered the fighter; one woman wrote, “RIP Handsome Bobby… You were so funny and it was a awesome pleasure care giving for you when I did.. I won’t ever forget your boxing lessons and your smile.. even tho you would tell me it was fake lol.. may your family find comfort and their love reaches you in the heaven above♡”
A fan wrote, “R.I.P Bobby Chacon, one of my favorite boxers of the 80’s. I really enjoyed the many epic moments of his boxing career, definitely one of the toughest fighters in his era…blessings.”
A 1999 article in the Los Angeles Times described how even then Chacon was suffering signs of dementia from head blows as well as substance abuse, including slurred speech and memory loss.
A native of South California, Chacon was “inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005” and was a former WBC featherweight and super featherweight champion who “went 59-7-1 with 47 knockouts in a 16-year pro career,” The AP says.
Chacon’s life was filled with highs – world boxing titles – and deep lows.
Chacon was married four times; USA Today said his first wife, Valerie, committed suicide in 1983, the night before he fought Salvador Ugalde, whom Chacon ultimately defeated with a third-round knockout. His son, Bobby Jr. was shot and killed at age 17 in gangland violence, said The New York Daily News.