FORMER international boxing and kickboxing champion Michael “Mike” Shawn Bernardo has been found dead in his Muizenberg flat.

The 43-year-old retired boxer was discovered by his father yesterday, police said.

No foul play was suspected.

As news of his death spread, messages of condolences for Bernardo’s family poured on to his Facebook page, as well as Tweets expressing the loss of a “legend” to SA martial arts.

Daniélle Pretorius wrote: “Mike – my heart is saddened by this – you were always such a bright light when ever (sic) I saw you – rest in peace my friend – I will miss you and your laugh.”

Tributes also flooded onto Twitter from within the kickboxing and boxing fraternity lauding Bernardo for his skill.

A Tweet by Clinton van der Berg said: “Jeez, sad to hear about the death of ex-heavyweight fighter & K-1 champ Mike Bernardo from Cape Town & was massive in Japan.”

Bernardo had debuted in the K-1 World Grand Prix in 1995 and participated in another five. He was very popular in Japan where he was known as Beru-chan. There he achieved some of his most notable wins against Swiss legend Andy Hug and three straight wins over Dutch heavyweight kickboxer Peter Aerts.

He has a string of accolades including a SA heavyweight title, World Olympic kickboxing super heavyweight winner and, in 1996, World Kickboxing Association Muay Thai Super heavyweight World champion.

After retiring with an injury in 2004 he offered professional boxing training.

A former friend, Max Grunau from the Shindokan Ishinryu School of Martial Arts in Cape Town, said the kickboxer was estranged from his family and struggled to cope with the lack of recognition for his achievements.

He had known him for about 10 years. “We became quite good friends and he had such a lot of potential as a good fighter. But he had boxing titles nobody respected and nobody to nurture him to his full potential,” said Grunau.

“He was such a lovely guy and super person. I’m so distraught that we have lost a fighter with a big heart.” - Cape Argus