In The News

Olympic boxing medalist Terry Spinks passes away

Olympic boxing medalist Terry Spinks passes away

THE death has taken place of Terry Spinks who in 1956 became the youngest Briton to win an Olympic boxing gold medal. He was 74.

Mr. Spinks was 18 when he received a late call-up to the British boxing team for the Olympics in Melbourne. Despite having only a week to prepare before departing for Australia, the baby-faced east Londoner went on to secure gold in the flyweight final against Romania’s Mircea Dobrescu.

A year later, he turned professional and went on to clinch the British featherweight title in 1960 after stopping Bobby Neill. He defended the title twice before being losing to Howard Winstone in 1961.

He retired from the ring aged 24 having won 41 of his 49 professional fights.

Mr. Spinks went on to become a trainer and coached the South Korean team at the 1972 Olympics.

He was awarded an M.B.E. in 2002.

 

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