JEAN MARC RENARD FOUND DEAD

Posted on | August 28, 2008 | No Comments

Yesterday evening came the sad news that former EBU champ Jean Marc Renard, age 52, had been found dead by his wife in their home in Tenneville, Belgium. Reason for death appears to be suicide. He left several goodbye notes explaining his actions as to problems in the marriage.

Renard turned pro in 1980 and was 6-0 in 81 when he took on another future champ in Barry McGuigan in Belfast losing on points over eight. In his next fight, in Wales, he lost by a half point to Steve Sims but from then on it was up and away. In 1984 Renard won the EBU title at jr light with a close points win over Alfred Raininger only to lose it in his first defence to Pat Cowdell. In 1986 Jean Marc regained the title and held on to it beating the likes of Najib Daho and Antonio Renzo and drawing with Daniel Londas.

Renard relinquished the EBU title in 87 to concentrate on a world title shot but also to allow his brittle hands time to heal. Later he regained the EBU crown beating Farid Benredjeb with a hand broken in three different places. In May of 1989 he challenged for the WBA title held by Antonio Esparragoza but Renard, probably by then over the hill, was knocked out in the sixth.

In august of 89 Jean Marc Renard – with a lucrative EBU titlefight against Paul Hodkinson in sight – announced his retirement due to hand injuries. Renard run for a number of years a timber trade taking care of selling and delivery, remained in shape and did relatively well – or so it seemed.

Jean Marc Renard rates as one of the best Belgian fighters in history and an all time great in Europe. His total record was 40-4-1 with many of his most important fights taking place in his opponent´s backyard.