BOXING -Former Champ Overdoses
 

Boxing champ 'mistook heroin for cocaine'


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Middleweight boxer Shannan Taylor in his 2009 bout with Anthony Mundine. (AAP)


Boxing champion Shannan Taylor remains in a critical condition after reportedly mistaking heroin for cocaine and suffering an overdose.


The 39-year-old Wollongong middleweight is one of three men to have accidentally ingested heroin on Sunday, the Daily Telegraph reported.

One of Taylor's friends vomited after consuming the drug but both Taylor and a third man were hospitalised.

Taylor has remained on life support in Wollongong Hospital.

Australian boxing icon Jeff Fenech said he spoke to Taylor on Sunday night before the apparent overdose ... read more

"He got led astray last night, the alcohol led him astray, the evilness in drugs and alcohol led him astray."

Known as the Bulli Blaster, Taylor had a record of 52 wins out of 65 fights.

Taylor became the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) middleweight champion last month after knocking out Thailand's Sintung Kietbusaba.

While the WBF is not a highly regarded sanctioning body, fighters often go on to more prestigious titles.