Scottish boxing icon Dick McTaggart has died aged 89.
The Dundee-born legendary athlete passed away in the early hours of Sunday, March 9, 2025.
A family statement provided to The Courier 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.”
McTaggart enjoyed a sparkling career, winning the Olympic title in 1956 aged just 21. He remains the only Scot to win a gold medal in the sport.
The lightweight boxer also competed in the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal in Rome, Italy, four years after taking gold in Melbourne, Australia.
McTaggart, who was inducted into the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame, won 610 of 634 fights in an incredible career inside the ring.
He won gold at the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, in 1958 and a silver medal in the Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia in 1962 as well as winning the ABA Championships on four occasions.
A Val Barker Trophy winner, for best boxing style at the Olympics, McTaggart also won the European Amateur Championships in 1961.
He was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1985 Birthday Honours list for services to amateur boxing in Scotland.
After his in-ring career, McTaggart worked as a boxing coach and was a key figure in training the Scottish team for the Commonwealth Games in 1986 and 1990.
McTaggart was immortalised with a statue in the forecourt of St Francis Boxing Club in Dundee with a mural of the boxer in his younger days painted on the wall of the club.
Club secretary Norrie McVicar expressed great sadness at the news of McTaggart's passing as he offered the thoughts and prayers of all connected with the club to his family and friends.
Mr McVicar said: "Dick McTaggart's association with St Francis Amateur Boxing Club and other boxing clubs remaining in Dundee, such as Lochee Boxing club (soon to celebrate 80 years, spans time itself.
"Whilst we express sadness at Dick McTaggart's passing, we hold him in great esteem and with so much pride in his achievements as an amateur boxer and in his humility and humanity as a person.
"Dick never forgot his roots or where he was from and did all that he could to help Dundee boxing clubs and their young stars to be. But more than that, Dick McTaggart's legacy and support for amateur boxing in Scotland has been fantastic over his lifetime.
"He made many friends in the sport and will always be known as the people's champion of grassroots boxing in Scotland."
A Lochee Amateur Boxing Club statement read: "Lochee would like to pay tribute to the Dundee legend that is Dick McTaggart who at the age of 89yrs has sadly passed away.
"Sincere condolences go out to all his family and friends at this difficult time.
"His boxing career was nothing but legendary and he was the only boxer from Dundee to compete at 3 Olympic Games, achieving the Gold at 1956 Melbourne game and a Bronze in Rome in 1960. He also competed in Tokyo in 1964, remaining the only British boxer to do so.
"Rest easy Champ."
Sharing an image of himself training with McTaggart and Ken Buchanan, Frank Gilfeather shared on social media: "This Scottish team of the mid 60s was special.
"With the great Dick McTaggart (634 contests - 610 wins) and Ken Buchanan, later to become lightweight world champion. Both now sadly passed. Training at Largs."
