Algerian great Abdelkader Ould Makloufi has passed away at the age of 80. Makloufi fought professionally from 1966 to 1977 and compiled a record of 47-9-2. He turned pro in France but suffered tough losses on the road, losing to Lothar Abend in Germany, Pedro Carrasco and Miguel Velazquez in Spain, and Jimmy Revie in the UK - all four were among the best in Europe during that time.

Makloufi won the ABU (African Boxing Union) lightweight title for the first time in 1973 and challenged WBC super featherweight champion Kunaiki Shibata in Japan but lost on points after 15 rounds. He scored seven wins after that and retired in 1977.

Makloufi was in retirement head coach for the national team and is widely hailed as one of the best, if not the best, Algerian boxer ever (and they have a strong boxing tradition).