Boxing: `Tough guy' Richardson dies at 65

DICK RICHARDSON, one of Britain's leading heavyweights of the late 1950s and early 1960s, died yesterday aged 65.

Richardson, who was European champion from 1960-62, fought in a strong era for British heavyweights which which included Henry Cooper, Brian London, Joe Erskine and Joe Bygraves.

The Welshman had 47 fights, winning 31, drawing two and losing 14, with two of the defeats coming against Cooper - both fifth-round stoppages. His best win was probably a first-round knockout of the German Karl Mildenberger, whom Muhammad Ali took 12 rounds to beat four years later.

John Morris, the secretary of the British Boxing Board of Control, said: "He was one of the most honest of British heavyweights, an exciting fighter and all through his life he remained just a wonderful guy. He enjoyed his life and was a really good example of a tough fellow who did make good."

After retiring from the ring, Richardson, who was born in Newport, ran a butcher's business in Camberley, Surrey.