[penetrator]

Former British boxing champion Gary Mason has died in a cycling crash in south London.

Mason, 48, was on his bicycle in Sandy Lane South, Wallington, on Thursday morning when he was involved in a collision with a van.

The retired fighter was pronounced dead at the scene.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and bailed until March pending further inquiries.

The 43-year-old, who was driving a white Vauxhall "combi" van, had stopped at the scene.

Mason fought 38 times as a professional between 1984 and 1994, with 37 wins.

His only defeat was against future world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis at Wembley Arena.

Mason was British champion from January 1989 to March 1991 when he lost to Lewis.

He led a varied life after his boxing career, with a spell as a pundit for Sky Sports and a brief venture with rugby league side London Broncos.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Officers were alerted at about 6.15am yesterday to a van in collision with a bicycle on Sandy Lane South, near the junction with Woodcote Road, Wallington.

"The cyclist, aged 48 years, was pronounced dead at the scene."

A post-mortem examination will be held at St Helier Hospital mortuary and an inquest will be opened at Croydon Coroner's Court.



http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12135980