Dick McTaggart dead aged 89: Tributes pour in after Britain’s best-ever amateur boxer and Olympic gold medallist dies
BRITAIN's greatest amateur boxer Dick McTaggart has sadly died away aged 89.
The Scottish slugger's passing was announced by his family in an emotional social media statement.
It read: "In loving memory of Dick McTaggart, a cherished husband, father, grandfather and friend.
“A true gentleman and legend in the boxing world.
“His kindness, determination, humour and spirit will never be forgotten.
"He will be deeply missed but forever in our hearts. Rest peacefully.”
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Tributes poured in for the late McTaggart - who turned his efforts to training the next generation of fighters following his retirement - from around the boxing world after the announcement of his death.
A Commonwealth Games Scotland statement read: "Everyone at Commonwealth Games Scotland was saddened to learn of the passing of boxing legend Dick McTaggart MBE.
"Widely regarded as Dundee's greatest ever sportsman, McTaggart won Commonwealth Games gold and silver medals as part of a remarkable amateur career, winning 610 of 634 bouts.
"Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time."
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Former WBO super-featherweight champion Alex Arthur said: "Never mind Scotland… Dick Mctaggart is Great Britain’s greatest ever amateur boxer.
"Remember a chat with Dick and him saying was nice winning the Olympic gold but imagine doing it in a Scottish vest!
"Scotland might not see an Olympic boxer for years."
Boxing commentator Andy Clarke said of McTaggart at the BBBOC Awards in London: “He was a phenomenon."
One boxing fan wrote on X: "Rest in Peace, Dick McTaggart, and thank you.
"Dick ran our Boxing Club at Crookston Castle School, until the bigwigs decided you needed to be a professional to teach."
Another said: "Rest in peace, champ."
McTaggart retired from boxing at 30 but closed the book on his career with accolades galore.
The Dundonian's finest achievement came at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, where he became the first Scottish boxer to win a gold medal.
McTaggart made Scot's Olympic history at the tender age of 21.
Recalling his triumph in a 2021 interview with The Courier, he said: “I had collected my gold medal and wanted to go away and celebrate with Terry Spinks, who had also won gold.
"But I was told by the officials, ‘Do not leave the hall, there might be a wee surprise for you.'
“Then, later on, they announced that I had won the Val Barker Trophy (which is awarded to the most outstanding boxer at the Games).
"And that meant more to the British delegation that any of the other medals and prizes.
"Because no British competitor had ever won it before.
“And I reckon that I must have filled the trophy up with champagne about 150 times that night as everybody celebrated.”
He'd competed at the Rome Olympics four years later but left the Eternal City with a bronze.
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McTaggart would also win multiple Armed Forces titles during his time in the RAF.
He'd also win gold at the 1960 British Empire and Commonwealth Games and an amateur European title.