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Iconic Boxing Writer And Historian Bert Sugar Has Died

MOUNT KISKO, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- After a long battle with lung cancer, legendary Boxing writer, historian, and one of the all-time great characters, Bert Sugar, of Chappaqua, New York passed away this Sunday afternoon at the age of 75.

He was surrounded by family at Northern Westchester Medical Center in Mount Kisco. His family said Sugar went into cardiac arrest.

Sugar, instantly recognizable with his brown fedora and cigar, is the author of over 80 books. He will always be remembered as the publisher and editor of "Boxing Illustrated" and later "The Ring" magazine.

After he passed the bar exam, he became one of the original "Mad Men" in the 60s, working at McCann Erickson and J. Walter Thompson.

Sports, primarily boxing, was his passion. Under that constant barrage of one-liners and a rat-a-tat-tat delivery was an observer so thoroughly steeped in his profession, that other writers and even boxers and managers paid attention.

He was such an iconic figure that to establish "instant authenticity," producers cast him in films like "Night and the City."

More information regarding services and a memorial will be released by the family.

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