LEGENDARY boxing commentator Alex Wallau has passed away aged 80 – as tributes poured in for “The Voice of Boxing”.
Wallau – who called fights for ABC – bravely battled cancer for over 40 years before his death.
Boxing commentator Alex Wallau has passed away aged 80[/caption]
His wife Martha attributed his passing to the throat cancer he got diagnosed with in 1987.
Wallau was ABC’s on-air boxing analyst from 1986 until their final broadcast in June 2000, interviewing the likes of Mike Tyson.
He was initially diagnosed with stage four cancer in his throat before it spread to his tongue.
But the diagnosis did not stop his career and in 1988 he returned to commentary six months later following numerous surgeries.
Wallau famously exposed alleged corruption in a 1977 tournament staged by controversial promoter Don King.
He was assigned as a special adviser and associate producer – tasked with researching the qualifications of the 56 boxers selected.
Wallau found 31 were unqualified and said he was offered bribes to vouch for the validity of the tournament.
He brought his concerns to executives and was later proven correct and ABC disassociated with the scam tournament.
His death sparked an outpour of tributes online, including from Top Rank matchmaker Bruce Trampler and HBO co-commentator Jim Lampley.
Trampler posted: “Boxing lost a courageous man with passing of former commentator Alex Wallau, dear friend of many in the business.
“Alex faced death threats after exposing crooked Don King tournament, was the brain behind Howard Cosell and later president of ABC TV for Bob Iger. Should be HOF.”
Lampley said in a statement: “As much as any boxer I covered via the vast foundation of knowledge with which he and he alone first blessed me, Alex Wallau was a FIGHTER.
“His survival in a gruesome battle with throat cancer in the early 1990s was beyond courageous.
“The simple fact he endured for another thirty years is an example of epic courage.
“He taught me how to see and call boxing matches, and through that the eventual emblem of my entire fifty-year career was a gift from him.
“I’m devastated that he is gone, but eternally grateful he was here. All his friends and familial survivors have my deepest and most heartfelt sympathy.
“Thank you forever, Alex.”
Wallau with his wife Martha in 2006[/caption]
