Sonny King dead: Former WWWF Tag-Team champion Larry Anderson dies aged 79 after battle with Alzheimer's

The former WWWF Tag-Team champion passed away on Saturday, August 31 at the age of 79. Anderson began his career as a professional boxer before transitioning to wrestling due to his close friendship with WWE Hall of Fame star Ernie Ladd.

The news of his passing was confirmed by Patty Lennard Johnson on Facebook, where she shared that Anderson had bravely battled Alzheimer’s for the past decade.

She wrote: “It is with very heavy hearts that the family of Lawrence “Sonny King” Johnson share his passing today after a 10 year battle with Alzheimer’s. Sonny fought hard to the very end. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.”

Wrestling journalist and historian Dave Meltzer recognises Anderson as one of the first African-Americans to win a championship in the WWWF, the organisation that would eventually evolve into WWE.