LESS than a month after a woman had her throat cut at The Beach Lodge in Muizenberg, former world super heavyweight champion kickboxer Michael Barnardo was found dead at The Empire building a stone’s throw away.

Barnardo (42) had lacerations to his throat. His father discovered the body on Tuesday 14 February, Valentine’s Day.

Barnardo took part in K-1 World Grand Prix in Japan, and holds notable wins over Mirko Filipovic, Andy Hug, Francisco Filho, Branco Cikatic, and three straight wins over K-1 legend Peter Aerts. He later qualified as a clinical psychologist and had a practice in Lakeside, where he offered trauma and addiction counselling.

Barnardo’s second cousin, David Carew, was watching video footage of Barnardo’s fights when People’s Post visited him. Carew says Barnardo was like a brother to him.

He says Barnardo started kickboxing in the navy, and went on to become a world champion.

Barnardo won the majority of his fights, very often with knock-outs. “He was super fit,” says Carew.

He adds Barnardo used to pray before every fight and pointed out a white cross displayed on his shorts.

“Overseas, in Japan, he was like a god. People absolutely worshipped him,” says Carew, who says the two-metre-tall man was not aggressive.

“He had a heart of gold; he was very well liked and popular. He never used to boast; he was just like a normal guy.”

Barnardo was also a martial arts fighter and boxer. Carew says last year Barnardo organised a cage fight at the Muizenberg Pavillion.

Many tributes and videos have been added to Barnardo’s Facebook page. One describes Barnardo as a “gentle giant with a heart of gold’, another describes him as “a great fighter and an inspiration”.

“You were a legend, inside and outside the ring,” is another comment.

Born in Fish Hoek, Barnardo attended school in Plumstead.

Captain Stephen Knapp, Muizenberg Police Station spokesperson, confirmed an inquest docket had been opened. No foul play was suspected.

The case is being investigated by Detective Warrant Officer Ivan Rogers.