Former British and Commonwealth welterweight champion Brian Curvis has died, aged 74. Curvis, from Swansea, fought for the WBC and WBA titles in 1964, but lost a unanimous points decision to champion Emile Griffith at London's Empire Pool. That defeat was one of only four suffered by Curvis in 41 contests between 1959 and 1966.
Described as an intelligent southpaw, he was awarded the BBC Wales Sports Personality of the Year award in 1960. After winning his first 13 fights as a professional, Curvis won the Commonwealth title against Australian George Barnes at the Vetch Field, Swansea in May 1960. Six months later, he added the British title by beating Wally Swift in Nottingham and ended his career without ever losing to a British fighter.
Curvis's elder brother, Cliff, who died in 2009, was also a British and Commonwealth welterweight champion.
In a statement, the British Boxing Board of Control said: "The British Boxing Board of Control send their condolences to his family and friends."
