Mathis Sr. Passes Away At 51; Mathis Jr. Won’t Change Plans

Buster Mathis, who unsuccessfully challenged Joe Frazier for the heavyweight championship in 1968, died Wednesday of heart failure. He was 51.

Mathis, father of fighter Buster Mathis Jr., was found unconscious by his wife at their home. Family members and emergency workers tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at Butterworth Hospital.

His death comes less than two months before his son is to fight former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson. Mathis Jr. said his father’s death will not affect plans for the Nov. 4 bout in Las Vegas.

Mathis was diagnosed about five years ago with high blood pressure and diabetes. Two strokes left him with limited motor control on his left side and forced him to use a walker. He also suffered kidney failure three years ago and had a pacemaker installed after a 1993 heart attack.

In 1968, Mathis challenged for the heavyweight championship, losing to Frazier on an 11th-round knockout.

He also lost a non-title decision to Muhammad Ali in a 1971 comeback bout.

“He always said that he wasn’t afraid of dying,” said his wife, Joan Mathis. “And he had come so close to death so many times.