The body of 52 year-old notorious—and controversial--boxer Tony Ayala Jr. was found inside the Zarzamoa Street Gym on the city's Westside on Tuesday.
At only 16, Ayala won the 1979 Golden Gloves Championship. The two previous years, he was the Junior Olympics champ. Not even 20 years old, Ayala went pro and quickly became a top ten contender--but outside the ring his life unraveled. In 1983, the Westside young man known as "Little Bull" or "Torito" was arrested for rape in New Jersey. He served 16 years, and was released in 1999. Five years later he headed back to prison for 10 more, following a parole violation in a robbery case.
He got out last year, returning to boxing as a trainer.
"I can't believe this is happening,” boxer Jessica McBurney said. "I trained with him yesterday. He was in good condition. He wasn't showing anything was wrong. No symptoms or anything."
An autopsy will be performed to determine cause of death. Funeral arrangements are pending.