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Former light heavyweight world champion and Olympic silver medalist Jose Torres (who, just as Mike Tyson, fought under the management of Cus D'Amato) has passed away Monday at age of 72. He died of a heart attack at his home in Ponce, his wife, Ramonita Ortiz, told The Associated Press.

Trained and managed by the legendary Cus D'Amato,, Torres won the light heavyweight title in 1965 by stopping Willie Pastrano at Madison Square Garden in New York. He made three title defenses before losing a close decision to Dick Tiger in 1966. He finished with a record of 41-3-1, with 29 knockouts.

The mayor of Ponce, on the island's southern coast, declared three days of mourning and ordered flags be flown at half-staff.

"Puerto Rico has lost a great Puerto Rican, a very valiant person who aside from being a great athlete, was a great human being," David Bernier, president of the U.S. territory's Olympic committee, told radio station WKAQ.

Torres began fighting when he joined the U.S. Army as a teenager. He won a silver medal as a light middleweight at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics while competing for the United States. He lost the title bout to Hungary's Laszlo Papp.

D'Amato had his keen eye on Torres after seeing him win a silver medal in the 1956 Olympics. He immediately took him on and said, "This kid will be a champion, and it won't take that long."

The first thing D'Amato did was put Torres in the same peekaboo style he started all his fighters on. To some, this was an awkward way to fight, but Cus defended it by saying that it worked fine for Patterson, who had gained the heavyweight championship that way. Well, it also worked for Torres.

After retiring in 1969, he became a representative of New York's Puerto Rican community, chaired the New York State Athletic Commission in the 1980s and served as supervisor for the World Boxing Organization. He also wrote two biographies - "Sting Like a Bee" on Muhammad Ali and "Fire and Fear" on Mike Tyson.

"Through his boxing, writing and speaking out on the important issues of our time, Jose was an inspiration to millions of people across the country and around the world," New York Gov. David Paterson said in a prepared statement, noting Torres trained in New York City and was a New York Golden Gloves Champion in the 1950s.

As the first Puerto Rican to serve as commissioner of the state Athletic Commission, Paterson said Torres "was instrumental in strengthening boxing in New York."

Torres was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1997.

Jose Torres was one of boxings finest ambassadors,? said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. He was an Olympian, a world champion, author, commissioner and a true gentleman. The Hall of Fame joins the boxing community in mourning his passing.?

Torres will be buried Thursday in Ponce.

TysonTalk sends condolenses to the friends and family of Jose Torres.

Click here for a picture tribute to Jose Torres.

Tommy Patti: "Mike many of your fans and supporters have sent birthday wishes to you. Do you have a message to give to them in return"?

Mike: Who are they, who gave me wishes?

T: "Your fans from all over, via the internet. Some of them that have seen you in England, those that follow your career and in general love and support you. They're on a website called Tysontalk.com and it's very supportive of you"

M: "Oh man that's beautiful. Tell them that i've enjoyed the support over the years, in dire times and through all the good. I'm just so fortunate. They mean so much to me".

T: Got it. Nice.

M: "I really mean it, they've done so much for me and i'm really really grateful for all that they give to me. Tommy, what can i do for them?".

T: "I know that they'd love to have you do an interview online. They can submit some questions and you could answer".

M: "i'd love to do this. What ever it is, i want to give back to them and let them know how thankful i am for all they've given to me".

T: "I'll pass that invitation onto them and they'll give me some questions that i'll go over with you".

M: Please tell them Thank you for me".

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You can post your question for Mike Tyson in this forum topic: (click 'Here' ).
DEADLINE FOR QUESTIONS TO BE IN BY AUG 17, 2006

HOLLYWOOD, FL, July 24 ?? Former world champion Mike Tyson isnt just one of the greatest heavyweights of all-time, hes one of the most astute fight historians around, able to separate contenders from pretenders and future greats from also-rans. So it goes without saying that when he gives his endorsement to a fighter, its legit..

And heavyweight contender Sultan Ibragimov has Tysons blessing, so much so that he will be in attendance at the Seminole Hard Rock Live Arena on Friday, July 28, when the Russian bomber takes on Ray Austin in a highly anticipated IBF title elimination bout.

I appreciate Mike coming out to support me in the biggest fight of my career to date,? said the unbeaten Ibragimov. To have him here motivates me even more to do well and knock Ray Austin out.?

In Ibragimovs last bout with Tyson in attendance, the 2000 Olympic Silver medalist impressed Iron Mike with an impressive knockout win over the imposing Lance Mount Whitaker, a victory that brought to mind some of the former heavyweight kings greatest KOs.

Ive learned a lot from Mike, not only from talking to him but from watching his fights on tape,? said Ibragimov. Hes been a big influence on me.?

Ibragimov-Austin, part of a hard-hitting night of boxing presented by Warriors Boxing Promotions, Golden Grain Promotions and Sampson Lewkowicz in association with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, will be televised live on ESPN2s Friday Night Fights beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. Tickets, priced at $25, $50, $100, and $150, are available by calling 954.523.3309 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, please visit www.warriorsboxing.com.

The highly anticipated Mike Tyson mix video created by Turk15 is finally here. Along with this video comes a whole new video section here at TysonTalk. You will now be able to submit videos,rate,comment and more!

So please check out our new additions.

You can view Turk15's videos here-
(click 'Here' ).

or you can view the entire video section here-
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TysonTalk would like to wish Mike Tyson a happy 40th birthday and wish him all the success in his future endeavors.

Enjoy these birthday messages from your true fans!

brighton_hitman
happy birthday mike......
wow...this feels soo cheesy...o well its for our main man!!
happy birthday if you read this.....
be good if he could give us a reply as a group!

TysonFanatic
Happy Birthday mike, you've entertained us for the last 20 years. hope to see you soon on Hasim Rahman's defense of his title, once again Happy Birthday.

tubbs
Happy birthday mike, you've been a hero of mine since i was 7 years old back in 87. Anyways keep on partying you deserve it after 20 years of excitment you've given us all. cheers

demorak
Happy birthday Mike! hope everything is good.

CasperUK
Hey Mike, happy birthday brother. You've given us some awesome thrills. You enjoy the retirement! Keep the faith of the deen!
Salaam

ramborb
Happy Birthday Mike! You will always be 'THE BADDEST MAN ON THE PLANET" to me! Linda

Turk15
Happy birthday Mike!
Thank you for everything. And I can say this as a real fan, enjoy the rest of your life as a retired man. You deserve it champ!

RicRom
Happy Birthday Mike!
I wish you all the best for your next 40 years!

To view all of the birthday wishes (click 'Here' ).