The former British world champion, who won a bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics in Munich and claimed the undisputed world middleweight title against Italian Vito Antuofermo in Las Vegas in 1980 died after suffering from cancer.

 

He seemed to attract blood. After seeing a doctor about the ongoing issue he arrived at a conclusion - "don't get hit in the first place".

 

A dogged fighter in a hard era, at the start of 1970, not one British boxer held a world title. They were tough to come by and even the British and European belts often only came along after one had paid their dues.

 

However, he twice won the European title on the road and would find himself coming to terms with the tragic death of one of his opponents.

 

That he overcame cuts, a ruthless era, tragedy, and still won a world title is testament to the character he was.

 

Having his last fight in 1981, he died age 69.