Alan Minter, one of the top middleweights of the 1980s, has died. He was 69.
No cause of death has been announced but, according to The Associated Press, he had been battling cancer.
Minter, from the town of Crawley, England, won the light middleweight bronze medal in the 1972 Olympics in Munich. He turned pro later that year and was a British champion within three years and European titlist within five.
He won two versions of the world middleweight title when he defeated Italian Vito Antuofermo by a split decision in 1980 in Las Vegas. He also won the rematch three months later in London, this time winning by stoppage when Antuofermo retired with bad cuts after eight rounds.
The Guardian reported that Minter was met by thousands upon his return to Crawley after winning the championship.
“When I won the British title, I could walk down the street and hold my head up high,” he said. “Then the European title and then the world title. That was unbelievable.”
Minter ran into all-time great Marvin Hagler three months after the second Antuofermo fight, losing by a technical knockout because of cuts. The stoppage sparked an infamous riot at Wembley Arena.
Minter fought only three more times, all in 1981. He outpointed Ernie Singletary but then lost a split decision against Mustafa Hamsho and was stopped by Tony Sibson in three rounds. He was only 30 at the time of his last fight.
He reportedly owned a restaurant in Crawley in retirement.
