SAN ANTONIO – Former San Antonio boxer Tony Ayala Jr. was found dead Tuesday. He was 52.
Ayala was found dead inside the Zarzamora Street Gym, where he was once trained by his father, Tony Ayala Sr., who passed away in April 2014.
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Henry Rodriguez, who described himself as a close friend of Ayala's, said Tony had been working with local children and on reopening the gym.
"We were trying to get the gym going again. But now we don't know what the future lies for the Zarzamora Street Gym. His dad is gone. He's gone. I don't know, after this," Rodriguez said. "He was really trying to do great things but unfortunately, this is it. His life is over."
Ayala Jr. was once a rising star in the boxing world and was a former top contender for a world title until he was arrested for rape in New Jersey in 1983. He was convicted of the crime and served 16 years in prison.
Image courtesy of fightsports.gr.