Boxer Chris Finnegan who won an Olympic gold for Great Britain in Mexico 1968, died on Sunday aged 64. The tough former bricklayer beat Russian Aleksey Kiselyov in Mexico before turning professional and winning the British, Commonwealth and European titles in the light-heavyweight division.
His chance of a World title were scuppered when his one and only chance came in 1972. Finnegan fought a brave and close fight with American Bob Foster in an epic match at Wembley, but failed to overcome the favourite and champion, losing in the 14th round.
Six weeks later Finnegan was forced to fight or face losing his European title, he fought Ridiger Schmidtke at Wembley but lost on a TKO in the 12th round with a badly cut nose.
In his remaining fights before retiring in 1975, Finnegan would twice face the emerging champion John Conteh, losing his British title on a points decision in the first contest and then in the sixth round of the re-match, once again badly cut.
Chris Finnegan died on 2nd March in hospital after suffering from pneumonia. His brother Kevin, himself a former British middleweight champion, passed away last October aged 60.
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