BoxRec

Associated Press

Published December 27, 2003

Del Flanagan, a legendary figure in Minnesota boxing, died Friday in Phoenix from complications of a heart attack. He was 75.

At his peak, Flanagan was the No. 2-ranked welterweight in the world in the 1950s and defeated several reigning and former world champions in nontitle fights. He retired in 1964 with a record of 105 wins, 22 losses, two draws and one no-decision.

Flanagan was born and raised in St. Paul and fought many of his fights at the St. Paul Auditorium. He and his family moved to Phoenix in 1984, where he raised Arabian horses.

His brother Glen, a world-ranked featherweight in the 1950s, died several years ago.

Del Flanagan suffered from Alzheimer's for the past 10 years and was admitted to John C. Lincoln Hospital on Dec. 12 with congestive heart failure.

Flanagan is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bev; two sons; two brothers; three sisters and two granddaughters.

Bev Flanagan said her husband will be cremated and that the family plans a private memorial service in Phoenix.

Tegenm, thank you for the report about the passing of Del Flanagan. He was one of the most clever, durable boxers that I ever saw. As a lightweight he was as smooth as they come.

I had the pleasure of watching Flanagan fight a Cuban boxer, Jorge Estrada, in Chicago in 1948. Shortly after the start of the fifth round, a fight broke out near ringside between two ladies and, of course, nearly everyone turned from the ring action to watch the women. When the crowd turned its focus back to the ring they saw Estrada on his back being counted out. As I was only fourteen at the time I was not distracted by the ladies and so was one of the few present to see that wonderful left hook of Flanagan´s.

His brother, Glen, as you article mentioned died several years ago of a heart attack while vacationing in Cancun, Mexico.