BRITISH boxing legend Alan Minter has died aged 69 after a long battle with cancer.
Minter is assured of an honourable place in British boxing history because he was the undisputed world middleweight champion and one of the sport’s stars of the 1980s.
British boxing legend Alan Minter has died aged 69Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The Crawley-born star was one of the biggest names in British sportCredit: Rex Features
Minter became undisputed middleweight champion of the world in 1980Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Minter with son Ross, who also went on to become a boxerCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
His son Ross said: “Dad was extremely proud of being undisputed world champion and I was always very proud when I was out with him to see how popular he was with people long after he had retired.”
Minter, who became a star in America when he fought on the undercard of Muhammad Ali’s bout against Leon Spinks in 1978, died yesterday in a Guildford hospital.
He was crowned middleweight champion of the world when he outpointed Vito Antuofermo in Las Vegas in March 1980.
It was a hotly disputed split decision.
British referee Roland Dakin, by awarding Minter 13 of the 15 rounds, caused an almighty row with the Antuofermo camp.
It led to an immediate re-match at Wembley three months later.
This time there were no arguments as the Crawley southpaw overwhelmed the Italian-American, stopping him in the eighth round.
Unfortunately Minter’s reign lasted just another three months when he lost his crown against the legendary Marvin Hagler at Wembley, then relatively unknown in this country.
It is a shame that the fight will always be remembered for the wrong reasons.
Minter waves to adoring fans after beating Antuofermo to become middleweight champCredit: PA:Press Association
Minter battles Doug Demmings in 1979Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Brit icon Minter in action against Ronnie Harris in 1977Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
In just over seven minutes Hagler’s flashing fists cut Minter’s face to ribbons.
With Minter bleeding profusely from deep gashes over both eye the fight was stopped midway through the third round which provoked Alan’s fans – many of them National Front supporters – to disgracefully bombard the ring with beer bottles and other debris.
Hagler couldn’t celebrate winning the world title and receive the acclaim he deserved as he had to be given police protection to get safely back to his dressing room under a further missile attack.
I shall never forget one of those charming hooligans yelling at Marvin’s wife: “I hope your husband gets cancer”.
Minter sadly lost his long battle with cancerCredit: Rex Features
Minter will be remembered as a legend of British boxingCredit: Rex Features
The former middleweight king was a star in the States and at homeCredit: Rex Features
Minter admitted afterwards: “He was too good for me that night. He was something special.”
Minter started boxing as a 12-year-old and left school when he was 14, going to work for his father’s plastering company.
He kept his amateur career going, though, and had more than 100 fights in the unpaid ranks.
I first got to know Alan at the 1972 Munich Olympics when he was robbed of a gold medal – his German opponent got a hometown decision in the quarter-final leaving him with a consolation bronze.
He made his pro debut on October 31, 1972 at the Royal Albert Hall and looked a superstar in the making after winning his first 11 fights.
But a run of defeats – four losses due to cuts – made him seek out the top medical help.
Minter said: “I went to Harley Street and had my eyes and skin examined and there was nothing wrong.
“They told me, ‘You’re getting cut because you’re getting hit’.
Minter started boxing when he was just 12Credit: Rex Features
Minter became one of sport’s biggest names here and fought at WembleyCredit: Rex Features
“It come to me when I was in sparring. I’d hold my hands up high, move from the waist and don’t get involved.
“When you get hit, don’t rush in and try to get your own back, take your time and, by doing that, it worked.”
He was British, Commonwealth and European champion before winning the world title and his trilogy against Kevin Finnegan – he won all three 15 round battles – were minor classics.
After the defeat to Hagler, Minter beat Ernie Singletary in London in 1981.
But future losses to Mustafa Hamsho in Las Vegas and Tony Sibson in London saw him hang up his gloves for good.
Minter retired at 29 after being stopped by Sibson and will be remembered for being the kind of fighter who always gave the paying customers value for their money.
The boxing world was united in grief at his passing, with fellow Olympian and ex-middleweight champ Billy Joe Saunders just one of those paying tribute.
He said: “Rest in peace to one of the true Greats Alan Minter. Had the privilege of meeting him. Gentleman. Condolences to the family.”
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Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
