Originally Posted by
RD200
RIP 'boom boom' Minter
I remember Alan boxing as an amateur at the Olympics in 1972 and coming away with a bronze.
He struggled as a pro early on due to getting cut but still had the look of a future champion.
He got stopped by Ronnie Harris on cuts just as the American's corner was about to throw in the towel.
He won and lost against Gratien Tonna, the loss being a stoppage to cuts.
He had 3 wars with domestic rival Kevin Finnegan who later gave Marvin Hagler 2 tough fights.
Tragedy followed a European title triumph when his opponent Angelo Jacopucci died after being stopped in 12 rounds.
The man he took the title from, Vito Antuofermo, was tailor made for Alan as he came forward, was easy to hit and cut up even more than the Englishman and so it proved, Minter having quite an easy night.
In the return Minter stopped the Italian American in 8 rounds and dropped him in the process.
Minter lost his title in 3 rounds to future great Marvin Hagler and was ill advised to make racist comments.
His last fight was a loss vs Tony Sinson.I was just as sure that Minter would beat Sibson as I was that Minter would beat Antuofermo.I can remember by trainer telling me Sibson would win and I scoffed at that.
When I boxed as an amateur in the 70's I wore the same red Gola boxing boots as Minter and John H Stracey another British world champion, but they didn't bring me the same success.