Rafferty was at his gym in Empangeni where he trained a number of fighters when he collapsed, before he was taken to the local hospital where he passed away.
Rafferty, who was born Frederick Horn in Welkom, OFS, on 30 August, 1963, used the name Rafferty as there were a number of other Horns who were no relation to him boxing at the time.
After a short amateur career, he made his pro debut on 26 March, 1983, with a fourth-round knockout win over Gideon Mketshane.
Trained by Willie Lock and Jeff Ellis at Lock’s gym in Yeoville, and fighting at light-heavyweight he won his next five fights inside the distance.
In 1984 things seemed to go wrong. After fighting to a draw with Jonjo Greene from the United Kingdom in Durban and winning against Weaver Qwabe, he lost three in a row, which included a return match with Greene.
In 1985 and 1986 he had three cracks at trying to win the South African light-heavyweight title, fighting to a draw with Sakkie Enslin and losing to Sakkie Horn and Thulani “Sugaboy” Malinga.
