Australian boxer Madigan dies, aged 87

Oct 30, 2017 - 7:02 AM Tony Madigan, who fought the great Muhammed Ali twice and was regarded as one of Australia's best amateur boxers, has died aged 87.

A three-time Olympian who competed at Helsinki (1952), Melbourne (1956) and Rome (1960), Madigan enjoyed a stellar career that spanned more than 13 years.

Madigan fought Ali, then known as Cassius Clay, in a semi-final at the Rome Olympics, and according to AOC historian Harry Gordon had "the distinction of giving the ultimate gold medallist (Clay) his toughest bout of the Games."

Brave in the defeat, Madigan went on to take bronze at the event.

He had also fought Clay at the Intercity Golden Gloves light-heavyweight championship in Chicago the year before, the American also winning on the judges' card on that occasion.

Australian swimming great John Devitt, who went to two Olympics with Madigan, described him as one of the greatest boxers to represent his country.

"He performed against some of the greatest fighters in the world over a long career," Devitt said.

"He was a credit to his sport and a credit to Australia. Best of all he was a great guy."

Madigan also won light-heavyweight gold in the 1958 and 1962 Commonwealth Games and played rugby for Randwick and Eastern Suburbs in Sydney and London's Harlequins in 1953.

He also spent time as a model in New York.

Madigan is survived by wife, Sybilla, whom he lived with in the south of France and the UK as well, son Kendall and brother Mark.

Source: AAP