Tributes paid to Dundee boxing legend Dick McTaggart
Paying tribute to Dick McTaggart, the only Scottish boxer to win the Olympic gold medal, died at the age of 89.
McTaggart won gold in the Olympic lightweight final in Melbourne in 1956 and won a bronze medal at the Rome Olympics in 1960.
McTaggart’s family said in a statement confirming his death that he was a true gentleman and legend in the boxing world.
McTaggart won 610 times in 634 amateur games, rejecting a offer to be a professional.
McTaggart’s family added that he will “really miss it but always in our hearts”.
The Dundee St Francis Boxing Club stands at McTaggart’s 9-foot (274,000) tall statue and in the 1980s he opened his sports center in the city.
Sports journalist Jim Spence said McTaggart’s legacy is “huge”.
He told BBC Good Morning Scotland: “His record and achievements are shocking.
“Absolutely excellent record and an amazing person.”
Born in 1935 on Dens Road, Dundee, McTaggart is a third-grade person of 18 children.
Corporal Dick McTaggart worked as a chef in the Raf when his boxing talent led to the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
McTaggart also won the Val Barker Trophy for the best boxing style at the 1956 Olympics.
He played in the 1964 Olympic Games lightweight but was defeated by ultimate champion Jerzy Kulej in the third round.
McTaggart won gold at the 1958 Commonwealth Games and won gold in the 1962 Consorweath game.
He won the British ABA championship in 1956, 1958, 1960, 1963 and 1965, but resisted the temptation to turn to professionals.
Mr Spence said: “He once said boxing is basically his hobby.
“He did say that once he got his offer, I think that was £1,000 from a promoter in the 1950s, and it was a fortune.
“He said at the time that he loved boxing, but never wanted it to be his job.”
After retirement, McTaggart became MBE in 1985 to provide services for Scottish amateur boxing.
Later, he worked as a boxing coach, helping the Commonweath Games train Scotland in 1986 and 1990.
Mr Spence said: “He comes from a very poor situation.
“In the next few years, he gave the boxing club, and the young people through the sport.
“I think he will be remembered as a very modest, modest person, a real gentleman and a real sports idol.”
