Boxing legend Adilson ‘Maguila’ Rodrigues dies aged 66 following multiple health complications
- Former Brazilian boxer Adilson ‘Maguila’ Rodrigues died on Thursday
- Rodrigues died at the age of 66 after 28 days of treatment
- He famously fought Evander Holyfield in 1989 and George Foreman in 1990
Brazilian boxing legend Adilson ‘Maguila’ Rodrigues has passed away at the age of 66.
He died on Thursday in Sao Paulo after multiple health complications.
Rodrigues was a WBF heavyweight champion, a WBC Continental Americas heavyweight champion, and he held the South American title for 14 consecutive years between 1986 and 2000.
His professional career ended in 2000 with a record of 77 wins, seven losses and one draw.
Some of those defeats were against truly elite opposition.
Brazilian boxing legend Adilson ‘Maguila’ Rodrigues passed away on Thursday at the age of 66
Rodrigues photo (right) in June 1990 during a fight against George Foreman in Las Vegas
Rodrigues was knocked out by Evander Holyfield in 1989 and by George Foreman the following year. Both fights took place in Las Vegas.
Among the famous fighters to lose to Rodrigues was former world cruiserweight champion Johnny Nelson in 1995. Nelson is now best known for his role as a Sky Sports pundit.
In 2013, Rodrigues was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
His death this week came after he had received 28 days of treatment for pneumonia and abdominal pain.
Following his death, thousands of fans took to social media to share tributes.
One fan tweeted: ‘We say goodbye to a great icon of Brazilian sports, Adilson Rodrigues, known as Maguila. A fighter who took Brazilian boxing to international heights with his determination. Inside and outside the ring, Maguila was always an example of overcoming obstacles and taking on challenges.”