South African boxing great Willie Toweel has died at his home in Randburg, north of Johannesburg. He was 83.
Toweel won a bronze medal in the flyweight division at the 1952 Olympics.
He also had a sterling professional career and retired at the age of 26. Toweel passed away on Christmas night surrounded by friends and family.
Sad to read the passing of two South African sporting legends boxer Willie Toweel and Bok and St Helens winger Tom Van Vollenhoven. Saw Tom play against Lions in 1955. Sadly saw him blocked from attending a Bok function in the 1970s because he had joined the professional ranks.
— David Shapiro (@davidshapiro61) December 26, 2017
The sad News has broken that SA boxing legend Willie Toweel has passed away.
Willie was first South African to top a bill at Madison Square Garden in New York and will be sadly missed!
Condolences to Mr Toweel’s family and friends…
RIP Willie pic.twitter.com/xb6qg9ZkdF
— World Sports Betting (@WorldSportsBet) December 26, 2017