BREAKING NEWS: British boxing legend and former world middleweight champion Alan Minter dies at the age of 69 after a lengthy battle with cancer
- Former world middleweight champion Alan Minter has died at the age of 69
- The former Olympic medalist died on Wednesday after a battle with cancer
- Minter also won British and European middleweight championships in his career
British boxing legend Alan Minter has died of cancer at the age of 69.
Minter was a former world middleweight champion after winning the the WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine titles from Vito Antuofermo in March 1980 before being dethroned by Marvin Hagler later that same year.
The Crawley-born Boxer died on Wednesday following his lengthy battle with cancer.
British boxing legend Alan Minter has died at the age of 69 after a lengthy battle with cancer
Minter who was born in Crawley in 1951 was one of the biggest names in British sport
Minter who was born in 1951 and started boxing at a young age was called up to the 1972 Olympics which were held in Munich.
At the age of 21 he claimed a bronze medal and soon after turned professional.
Minter captured the British middleweight title in 1975 before then claiming the European belt two years later.
Alan Minter (pictured last year) retired in 1981 at the age of 40 with a win record of 39-9
He would lose both belts before regaining them and was then deemed ready for a world title shot against then undisputed king Antuofermo.
Minter won by controversial split decision, as British referee Roland Dakin awarded Minter 13 of the 15 rounds which caused a row with the Antuofermo camp.
One memorable fight was a defeat to Marvin Hagler which led to a riot at Wembley Arena
It led to an immediate re-match at Wembley three months later but this time there was no arguements as Minter dominated the Italian-American, stopping him in the eighth round.
Minter’s reign lasted three months before he was stopped by Hagler in three rounds due to a cut on the British boxer’s face which led to a riot at Wembley Arena by angry fans of the British boxer.
Beer bottles and cans rained down on the ring as Hagler’s celebrations were cut short as his corner surrounded him to protect the new champion.
With the help of the police, Hagler and his corner were bundled out of the ring to safety under a further missile attack.
Boom Boom’ Minter called a halt to his career in 1981 with a 39-9 record.