Irish bare-knuckle boxer fails to appear in NJ court following death of woman in head-on crash 

Known as ‘Bobby Gunn’ in the sporting world, Robert James Williamson was born in Niagara Falls, Ontario to a family of Irish “travellers.”

Gunn, from Hackensack, who has dual citizenship in the United States and Canada, was believed under the influence of fentanyl when he was involved in the fatal crash that killed a 51-year-old woman.

He had been a fugitive since the September 2019 crash until June 2020, when he surrendered to New Jersey State Police's Woodstown Station in Pilesgrove.

He was charged with death by auto and aggravated assault when he failed to appear in Superior Court on Thursday, April 7, due to medical issues.

Gunn's attorney claimed he was experiencing extremely high blood pressure and was on his way to the hospital, NJ.com reported.

Superior Court Judge Linda Lawhun issued the bench warrant, stating she was "unmoved."

"I've seen no medical evidence as to all of the issues and symptoms that Mr Gunn has claimed that he's having," Lawhun said.

Gunn had been driving a northbound Dodge Ram 3500 when it crossed into oncoming traffic on Route 635 in Salem County’s Upper Pittsgrove Township and slammed head-on into a Hyundai Elantra, State Police said.

Polly Tornari (51) died at the scene while and her husband, Robert Tornari (52) of Glassboro was injured.

Known as “the Celtic Warrior,” Gunn was one of the last to hold the bare-knuckle cruiserweight title and was the first living inductee into the Bare Knuckle Boxing Hall of Fame.

He has reportedly been involved in numerous unsanctioned bouts, including an August 2011 match at Fort McDowell Casino on the Yavapai Nation reservation in Arizona that he won.

Gunn has also boxed professionally and took on respected American former professional boxers Roy Jones Jr and James Toney, since beginning his professional career in 1989.

He has won several bare-knuckle boxing titles and was inducted into the sport’s hall of fame in 2015.

‘The Celtic Warrior’ is considered a “legend” in the US who helped bring the sport back to the country.