BoxRec

'Contender' tragedy

Junior-middleweight Najai Turpin of Philadelphia, a recent participant in Sylvester Stallone's and Ray Leonard's "The Contender" television series was found dead in the back seat of an automobile this past Monday.

Suicide by gunshot to the head was the apparent cause of death.

Turpin, 12-1, with 8 KO wins had his last bout in his hometown of Philadelphia back on May 14th. He took a unanimous six round decision over previously unbeaten Leroy Fountain.

Turpin trained at The James Shuler Memorial Gym. His trainer was Percy Custus. He had finished all bouts for the television show which will air for the first time on March 9th.

seconds out
see the contender 14 march itv 2.

very bizzare, apparently he was sat with his missus in a car outside the gym he trains at....
Reports suggest over the past few weeks he'd left training early and been generally disinterested.

incidentally the young fighters featured in the programme get $1500 per week - good money.

Hate to be cynical but one word srpings to mind....drugs