Boxer Mark Weinman, who returned from a nearly 21-year layoff to win a professional bout at age 50, has died. He was 62.
Weinman, from the borough of Queens in New York City, died Feb. 8 in Mesa, Arizona, his brother, David, told The Associated Press. Mark Weinman died of complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a respiratory illness he was diagnosed with more than a decade earlier.
Mark Weinman was the oldest of three boxing brothers from a Jewish family — Mark, David and Michael. David Weinman, the middle brother, said the three combined to win a total of 19 championships at various levels.
In the 1983 New York Golden Gloves tournament, Mark Weinman lost to Dennis Milton in the 156-pound final. Nicknamed “The Hammer,” Mark Weinman turned pro and won his first 11 fights before losing three straight bout and stepping away from the ring.
He won his comeback fight against then-32-year-old Elvis Martinez at the 39-second mark of the second round in September 2012. He fought once more and lost, finishing with a professional record of 12-4 with 10 knockouts.