Morristown native, former champion boxer Frankie Randall dead at 59

Morristown native and former world champion boxer Frankie Randall has died, according to a statement issued by a family member.

Randall, 59, was born in Alabama but grew up in Hamblen County. He became a pro boxer in 1981 after competing in the 1980 Olympic Trials where he was a silver medalist.

Randall competed in fights in the lightweight and junior welterweight divisions earning the nickname “The Surgeon” for his fighting style. His biggest win came in the early 1990s when he defeated Julio Cesar Chavez in Las Vegas who had a record of 89-0 at the time. Randall finished his career with 58 wins with 40 of those coming with a knockout.

In his later years, he suffered from dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

(IMAGE: M. Ugarte / Associated Press)