George Foreman

Rocky Johnson , a former professional wrestler and father of Dwayne "The Rock " Johnson, at the age of 75 years.

His death was confirmed on Wednesday in a statement released by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). No cause of death was given.

Johnson, whose real name was Wayde Douglas Bowles, rose to fame with the WWE in the 1980s.

to win Known as the "Soul Man ", he was part of The First black Tag Team , the Wwe Championship .

after his retirement in 1991, Johnson helped train his son Dwayne, now a Hollywood star, became a WWE wrestling icon in his own right.

In 2008, Dwayne included, this anchored him in the WWE Hall of Fame, where "he will forever remain as one of sports-entertainment's most influential Performer," the WWE said.

In his testimony, and "extended his condolences to Johnson's family, friends and fans".

Wrestling-stars have paid tribute to Johnson, described as "barrier-breaking performer" of fellow hall of fame " member, Triple H .

Born on 24. August 1944, Johnson grew up in Amherst, Nova Scotia , Canada, before moving to Toronto in his youth, when he started with the wrestling.

In his teenage years, Johnson trained a boxer in sparring with the likes of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman . But he would be wrestling as his profession, entering into the industry with The National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in the mid-1960s.

adopting The Ring name "Rocky Johnson ", he struggled for 18 years with the NWA, winning Tag Team championships. More success would follow, when he was in WWE in the 1980s.

"He found his greatest success when he said, along with Tony Atlas as The Soul Patrol," the WWE in his opinion. "The two men were The First African-American World Tag Team Champions in WWE history, when they defeated The Wild Samoans at 10. December 1983. "

Described as "physically imposing and extremely charismatic" of the WWE, Johnson was best known for his high-flying drop Kick In The Ring . A gravity defying feat, this step would often. send Johnson's opponent is on a collision course with the canvas

In the year of 2017-interview with Hannibal TV, He said: "there was a lot [of racism]," but he "would not be denied," his place in The Ring , and adds: "I was Headstrong . "

"I thought I was in shape and the things they did in The South , I would not go," Johnson said. "You wanted to whip me on TV, to do like You used to, with the slaves and All That . I said: 'no. I came as an Athlete , and I'm going to go as an Athlete . "And You respected me for that. "

When Johnson retired from The Ring he offered to train his son Dwayne, known as "The Rock " during his WWE wrestling career.

His son was a great success in the sport, before an actor starring in such blockbuster films as The Scorpion King , Fast & Furious 6 and the Jumanji franchise.

wrestlers past and present have their respects paid to Johnson in the Social Media .

Source of news: bbc.com