Bare Knuckle champ wanted for vehicular manslaughter

Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images

Bobby Gunn is accused of causing a head-on fatal collision in New Jersey last year. According to Boxing Scene the New Jersey State Police issued an alert yesterday seeking the public’s help in finding …

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Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images

Bobby Gunn is accused of causing a head-on fatal collision in New Jersey last year.

According to Boxing Scene the New Jersey State Police issued an alert yesterday seeking the public’s help in finding former cruiserweight boxer, and bare knuckle fighter, Bobby Gunn, 46. The alert stated that Gunn is wanted for vehicular manslaughter.

Police suspect Gunn, who resided in Hackensack, NJ, of driving under the influence and then causing a collision in South Jersey on September 28, 2019. Gunn is accused of driving his Dodge Ram pickup truck into the wrong lane and hitting a Hyundai Elantra head on. Polly Tornari, 51, was killed in the collision. Her husband, Robert Tonari, was seriously injured.

Gunn was assessed to be under the influence during the time of the crash. He was only charged with vehicular manslaughter on Tuesday. The long period of time between the incident and formal charges is not unusual. It takes considerable time for forensic scientists to analyze scenes of vehicle accidents and determine what, if any, criminal charges are appropriate. UFC veteran Des Green experienced a similarly long period between being involved in a fatal collision and being charged with multiple counts of manslaughter.

New Jersey police believe Gunn was in Maricopa County, AZ in February. They are asking the public to call their Fugitive Unit tip line at 1-800-437-7839 if they have information on Gunn’s whereabouts. Callers may remain anonymous.

As a professional boxer Gunn amassed a 21-7-1-1 record between 1989 and 2017. During that time Gunn won the IBA World Cruiserweight Title and WBC, WBA and IBC Intercontinental Cruiserweight Title. His last bout was a loss to Roy Jones Jr. for the WBF World Cruiserweight Title.

Gunn is also a well-known bare knuckle boxer who claimed the lineal world heavyweight championship. In 2018 Gunn appeared at BKFC 1, defeating Irineau Beato Costa Jr. by first round KO.