Tributes to Scottish Olympic boxing great Dick McTaggart after death aged 89

Tributes have been paid to Scotland’s only Olympic gold medallist boxer after he passed away aged 89.

Dick McTaggart from Dundee scooped gold at the Olympics in Melbourne, Australia in 1956 and is the only Scot to do so in boxing.

McTaggart racked up 610 wins from 634 amateur contests and became Olympic Lightweight champion the same year despite never turning professional.

The 89-year-old also won a bronze medal at the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome.

The following year, he became Scotland’s first – and to date only – senior European champion at the Men’s EUBC European Championships in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.

He also went on to become the only British boxer to compete at three separate Olympic Games before retiring from the ring in 1965.

McTaggart was made an MBE in 1985 for services to amateur boxing in Scotland.

A statement from his family said: “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.”