Alan Minter: Tributes paid to British boxing legend and former undisputed world champion after death aged 69

Former undisputed middleweight world champion Alan Minter has died at the age of 69
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George Flood10 September 2020

Figures from around the world of boxing have paid tribute to Alan Minter following his death at the age of 69.

The former British middleweight died on Wednesday following a battle with cancer, the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBoC) confirmed.

Minter became the undisputed middleweight world champion by beating Italy's Vito Antuofermo in Las Vegas in 1980, then losing the belts to the legendary Marvin Hagler at Wembley Stadium.

He also reigned as British and European middleweight champion during a professional career that lasted for 49 fights - with 39 wins - between 1972-81 and before turning pro won a bronze medal in the light-middleweight category at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.

Tributes quickly poured in for "Boom Boom" Minter, a hugely popular figure in British boxing.

Frank Bruno said: "Alan Minter RIP. Alan & I worked together many times a great boxer in his day I would ask people to look at the old footage of him fighting a great boxer a sad day for British Boxing RIP "Boom Boom"."

Ricky Hatton said: "Just heard the very sad news that our boxing family has lost one of our own in former world champion alan minter. You’ll always be a brutish boxing legend and a gentleman alan.

"My love & very best wishes go out to Ross & the whole minter family at this time."

A statement from Hennessy Sports read: "Truly saddened to hear of the passing today of the great Alan Minter.

"He was a household name in the Golden Era of boxing. Everyone at Hennessy Sports send their sincere condolences to his family and friends.

"The passing of Alan Minter comes on the same date of the anniversaries of when boxing legends and close friends Dean Powell and Dennie Mancini were also lost," said promoter Frank Warren.

"Both are sorely missed and their families are in the thoughts of us all at Queensberry. May they all rest in peace."

Darren Barker wrote: "Gutted absolutely gutted to hear of the passing of Alan minter. What a fighter, what a man. Sending all my love to the family. RIP."

Barry McGuigan said: "Very saddened to hear of the passing of my friend & former world middleweight champion Alan Minter. My condolences to Ross & all the family. RIP Boom Boom."

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