Hero Tito dead at 35: Lennox Lewis leads tributes to boxer who died after falling into a coma following knockout defeat

BOXING icon Hero Tito has tragically died after being knocked out in his native Indonesia.

Tito – whose birth name is Heru Purwanto – was just 35 when he was knocked unconscious by James Mokoginta during the pair’s Indonesian lightweight title bout on February 27.

Fight fans watched in horror as Mokoginta floored Tito with a right uppercut in the seventh round of their fight.

Tito valiantly tried to find his feet but crashed to the canvas and subsequently remained unconscious.

He was rushed to hospital where doctors battled to save his life.

But Tito tragically passed away on March 7 after spending a week in a coma.

Tito – who fought on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs Brandon Rios in 2013 – is survived by two daughters aged 13 and five, plus his wife Didin Nurul Wijayanti.

Dindin thanked her husband’s fans for all their support during this difficult time in an emotional statement released by boxing promoter Rosa Kusuma.

Kusuma, who arranged several of Tito’s fights, said: “She thanks all the boxing people who always give support and prayers for Hero Tito.

“Thank you for all your kindness to us and our family.”

Tito’s body will be returned to his family in their hometown of Malang in Indonesia.

Boxing legends including Lennox Lewis and Freddie Roach paid tribute on social media to the tragic star..

British boxing legend Lewis wrote: “Every time a fighter steps in the ring, they do so knowing it could be their last time.

“The boxing fraternity has lost another member. Rest in love Hero “The Lion” Tito.”

While Pacquiao’s iconic coach Roach said: “Indonesian boxer Hero Tito died after several days of being in a coma due to injuries suffered in a fight last Sunday in Jakarta.

“Tito, whose real name is Heru Purwanto, was 35 years old.

“Rest In Peace, Hero. Condolences to the family and all those affected by his tragic passing.”

Since turning professional in 2004, Tito won 29 of his 48 fights with 17 defeats and two draws.