What appears to be another bleak end for a former heavyweight champion took place this week when Michael Moorer was admitted to a mental hospital after threatening to kill himself during an argument with his girlfriend.

Moorer, who had been drinking heavily, put a handgun to his head and told her he wanted to "end it", according to police. He was taken to a local mental health centre for evaluation.

Moorer became the first southpaw to win the world heavyweight championship when he defeated Evander Holyfield in 1994 to take the IBF and WBA titles. He lost the belts later that year when he was knocked out by George Foreman.