It was also sad, though not surprising, to find that the SCMP did a bit of hack journalism on it.

<B>Boxing world mourns local giant </B>
Martin Wong and Barclay Crawford
Mar 12, 2008

Boxing circles are in shock after Pierre Ingrassia, a colourful martial arts personal trainer and promoter, was found dead in a Wan Chai love hotel on Sunday.

The 45-year-old Swiss-born kickboxer, who was a former Muay Thai and karate world champion, was found dead and alone at the Villa Victoria Hotel in Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, when staff broke down the door after he did not answer calls on Sunday afternoon.

Ingrassia, who owned two gyms in the city, had checked in for three hours.

In October, Michael Victore, 51, and Paul Cherry, 45, were found dead in Wan Chai's Grand Hyatt Hotel after taking heroin and cocaine.

Police said a postmortem examination on Ingrassia had not given a conclusive reason for his death. "We will carry out toxicology examinations on Wednesday. The case is still classified as 'body found' and we are not treating it as suspicious."

Ingrassia's widow, Angela Manandhar, said boxers from around the world had been calling since his death. "They are all shocked. Pierre was a teacher to many boxers."

She would not comment on whether Ingrassia had used illegal drugs in the past.

With 20 years of professional experience in Hong Kong, Ingrassia trained more than 6,000 students, including reigning cruiserweight Muay Thai world champion Nathan Corbett. His students included celebrities, bankers and housewives.

"One of his students, now in America, just rang me and said Pierre was a hero to him as he helped him stay away from alcohol," Ms Manandhar said yesterday.

A memorial service would be held in later this month, she said. The couple has a five-year-old daughter.

Ingrassia had two gyms in Hong Kong, including The One Martial Gym in Central, which offered classes in martial arts and fitness training.

His business partner, Sherri Egbert, said martial arts was Ingrassia's life. "He turned martial arts into an art form," Ms Egbert said.

The owner of Andy Muay Thai, Cheng Hing-kwai, said Ingrassia was a household name in martial arts circles.

Another friend, Rick, who knew Ingrassia from his time living on Lamma Island, said he was a "man's man" who you either loved or loathed.

"He had everything to live for and he was very focused on his work, so his death comes as a complete shock," he said.

Another associate from his time on Lamma Island said he had a volatile temper.

What a way to go (Villa Victoria)

Kick-boxer's autopsy inconclusive

Police looking into the death of 45-year-old Swiss-born kick-boxer Pierre Ingrassia, whose body was found at a love hotel in Wan Chai on Sunday, said it was possible he suffered a heart attack. A postmortem examination had not given a conclusive reason for his death, and police said further tests like toxicology examinations were needed. Police said they found nothing suspicious.

any news about the cause of death?
I find it hard to believe that he checked into a love hotel alone. Was he given Roypnol and then robbed, as it happens all too often in Wanchai?