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IN BRIEF : Robinson ‘Personified Class, Style and Dignity,’ Tyson Says at Funeral

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<i> From Times wire services </i>

Legendary boxer Sugar Ray Robinson “personified class, style and dignity,” heavyweight champ Mike Tyson told more than 2,300 mourners who filled a Los Angeles church today for the five-time middleweight champion’s funeral.

Memories of Robinson, who died last week at age 67, so moved Tyson that his voice choked and he apologized to the throng filling the West Angeles Church of God in Christ.

“I had the privilege of meeting Sugar Ray,” Tyson said. “Sugar Ray Robinson personified class, style and dignity.”

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Among those attending were Elizabeth Taylor, a longtime family friend; former boxers Archie Moore, Ken Norton, Bobo Olson and Art Aragon; entertainer Red Buttons, and, from the sports community, Tom Lasorda, Elgin Baylor, George Allen and Eddie Futch.

Robinson died of heart disease April 12 at Brotman Medical Center. He also had suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.

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