Former Heavyweight Contender Shot Dead.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 25 Feb 2006, 10:32

From the LA Weekly.

24/02/06.

Michael “The Bounty” Hunter was considered one of the toughest heavyweight boxers in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He fought at a time when champions Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis ruled the ring. Although he never faced them for the heavyweight title, Hunter won his share of fame, nailing down the U.S. Boxing Association (USBA) Heavyweight Championship and the International Boxing Federation Cruiserweight Championship.

In 1996, he lost what would be his last fight to Brian “Danish Pastry” Nielsen and retired. He left Los Angeles years ago for Las Vegas and had recently moved back to Hollywood to train boxers at the Tru Boxing Gym on Highland Avenue.

Along the way, Hunter also battled drugs. It may have been that weakness that led him on February 8 to the roof of the St. Moritz Hotel, where he encountered undercover officers from the Los Angeles Police Department.

Two Hollywood Division officers had set up surveillance for a routine buy-bust operation at a Mobil Gas Station next door. LAPD spokesman Lieutenant Paul Vernon gives this account of what happened next: It was around 7 p.m. The 46-year-old Hunter came up from behind Officer Todd Ramsey, 41, who was busy talking on his cell phone. Without provocation, Hunter hit him on the head with a gun. Ramsey’s partner saw what happened and tackled the former boxer. The two cops and Hunter struggled. Hunter broke free, stepped back a few feet, and pointed his gun at Ramsey. Ramsey fired twice, hitting Hunter in the chest and arm. Hunter was pronounced dead at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Ramsey was also treated at the hospital, for the blow to his head, and was sent home that evening.

“It does not appear that he knew they were police officers,” Vernon said. “Perhaps he saw an opportunity to rob them.”

Hunter’s weapon turned out to be a fake — a black, polymer replica pistol. “Unless you pick it up and pull the trigger, it looks like a real gun,” Vernon said. A week earlier, Hunter had been arrested a block from the Sunset Boulevard motel on suspicion of being under the influence of a narcotic.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 25 Feb 2006, 10:36

His record.

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=1094

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 25 Feb 2006, 12:19

Thats a shame... shocking how many people have had their lives destroyed by drugs. The police story sounds bit fishy to me though, cops in that area tend to shoot first and write up their notes afterwards!...

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 25 Feb 2006, 12:50

I seem to be the bringer of bad news today Dale Crowe, Mike Hunter, Sugar Gibilaru.

Also just the minute had a email of a very dear friend who going through a REALLY bad time at the moment.

I need a drink. :(

The Great John L · Post by **The Great John L** » 25 Feb 2006, 21:18

Another tradgedy. I really enjoyed watching the "Bounty Hunter". When he was on he was a real spoiler.