Dick McTaggart, one of Britain’s finest amateur fighters, has died at the age of 89.
The fighter from Dundee, Scotland, is the only Scottish boxer ever to win an Olympic gold medal, as he did at lightweight at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. It was also there that he won the Val Barker Trophy awarded to the most stylish boxer of the Games.
“A true gentleman and legend in the boxing world,” read a statement from his family. “His kindness, determination, humour and spirit will never be forgotten.
“He will be deeply missed but forever in our hearts. Rest peacefully.”
McTaggart was one of 18 siblings, and 21 years old when he travelled to Melbourne.
In an interview with The Courier, he remembered how his parents came to meet him in London, when he flew back from Australia following his success at the Games.
“They had never been on a plane before, but they had flown down to meet me specially,” he said. “Then, when we got the train back to Dundee, thousands of people in the city turned out on the streets to welcome me home. It brought tears to my eyes.
“Fellow boxers John McVicar and Peter Cain hoisted me up on their shoulders and carried me up the stairs and out of the railway station.
“And then there were thousands of people who had lined the streets and were cheering. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
“It was unbelievable, but it was the greatest thing in the world.”
McTaggart also won a gold medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, and reached the semi-finals of the Olympics in Rome two years later, losing to the eventual winner Kazimierz Pazdzior. He refused offers to turn professional.
His death was recognised at the British Boxing of Control's awards ceremony, held on Sunday in central London.