Dick McTaggart, one of Britain’s finest amateur fighters, has died at the age of 89.
The fighter from Dundee, Scotland, is the only Scottish boxer ever to win an Olympic gold medal, as he did at lightweight at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. It was also there that he won the Val Barker Trophy awarded to the most stylish boxer of the Games.
“A true gentleman and legend in the boxing world,” read a statement from his family. “His kindness, determination, humour and spirit will never be forgotten.
“He will be deeply missed but forever in our hearts. Rest peacefully.”
McTaggart was one of 18 siblings, and 21 years old when he travelled to Melbourne.
In an interview with The Courier, he remembered how his parents came to meet him in London, when he flew back from Australia following his success at the Games.
“They had never been on a plane before, but they had flown down to meet me specially,” he said. “Then, when we got the train back to Dundee, thousands of people in the city turned out on the streets to welcome me home. It brought tears to my eyes.
“Fellow boxers John McVicar and Peter Cain hoisted me up on their shoulders and carried me up the stairs and out of the railway station.
“And then there were thousands of people who had lined the streets and were cheering. I couldn’t believe this was happening.
“It was unbelievable, but it was the greatest thing in the world.”
McTaggart also won a gold medal at the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, and reached the semi-finals of the Olympics in Rome two years later, losing to the eventual winner Kazimierz Pazdzior. He refused offers to turn professional.
His death was recognised at the British Boxing of Control's awards ceremony, held on Sunday in central London.
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 09 Mar 2025, 16:54
by THEBUTCH
RIP
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 09 Mar 2025, 17:48
by dookus
RIP. One of our very best amateurs. Unbelievable number of wins!
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 09 Mar 2025, 18:41
by bigped
Rip what a fighter x
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 09 Mar 2025, 18:49
by deadpan
A life well lived.
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 09 Mar 2025, 19:14
by handsofstone
RIP to the greatest amateur boxer Britains ever produced, 3 time Olympian, Gold, Bronze and a Val Barker plus countless other accolades and medals, I live 5 minutes along the road from the Dick McTaggart Sports centre, it was my old football teams home ground, Dundee doesn't have much to cheer about sports wise but McTaggart's name will forever mean something
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 10 Mar 2025, 08:48
by Flump
handsofstone wrote: ↑09 Mar 2025, 19:14
RIP to the greatest amateur boxer Britains ever produced, 3 time Olympian, Gold, Bronze and a Val Barker plus countless other accolades and medals, I live 5 minutes along the road from the Dick McTaggart Sports centre, it was my old football teams home ground, Dundee doesn't have much to cheer about sports wise but McTaggart's name will forever mean something
Great post.
RIP to a British boxing legend.
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 10 Mar 2025, 08:52
by forcefraser
RIP wee man. Those of us who love boxing will never forget.
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 10 Mar 2025, 08:57
by jameswilson
RIP. Jesus what a career.
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 10 Mar 2025, 10:27
by THEBUTCH
I noticed he twice beat former referee Larry O'Connell in the ABA championships.
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 10 Mar 2025, 15:13
by Jimmy2025
Legend. In my heart, I'd rather all boxing be amateur and I respect McTaggart for his awesome record and commitment to amateur sport. RIP.
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 10 Mar 2025, 19:07
by goose 5
What did MCTaggart do for work ?
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 11 Mar 2025, 01:47
by Jimmy2025
goose 5 wrote: ↑10 Mar 2025, 19:07
What did MCTaggart do for work ?
Various things over the years according to his obituary. RAF, labourer, pest controller for the council, Rolls Royce factory worker, Daily Express circulation Dept. Etc....
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 11 Mar 2025, 16:08
by JamesPhilips
Didn’t he also win European gold?
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 11 Mar 2025, 16:56
by handsofstone
JamesPhilips wrote: ↑11 Mar 2025, 16:08
Didn’t he also win European gold?
JamesPhilips wrote: ↑11 Mar 2025, 16:08
Didn’t he also win European gold?
Yep and Commonwealth
Amazing record. I mean it’s great he stayed amateur too
Yeh but there's always that what if eh, the Val Barker trophy is incredible, Ali won the next one, I'm trying to think if the USA has any notable Gold medalists in 1956, I know Patterson won gold in Helsinki in 52 and obviously Clay in Rome 60 , can't think of a 56 though, either way I doubt I'll see another Scottish Olympic champion or Britain produce another Val Barker
Amazing record. I mean it’s great he stayed amateur too
Yeh but there's always that what if eh, the Val Barker trophy is incredible, Ali won the next one, I'm trying to think if the USA has any notable Gold medalists in 1956, I know Patterson won gold in Helsinki in 52 and obviously Clay in Rome 60 , can't think of a 56 though, either way I doubt I'll see another Scottish Olympic champion or Britain produce another Val Barker
Oddly Vassiliy Jirov won the Val Barker trophy in Atlanta… maybe he changed his style as he became a pro? He was a slugger as a pro
Amazing record. I mean it’s great he stayed amateur too
Yeh but there's always that what if eh, the Val Barker trophy is incredible, Ali won the next one, I'm trying to think if the USA has any notable Gold medalists in 1956, I know Patterson won gold in Helsinki in 52 and obviously Clay in Rome 60 , can't think of a 56 though, either way I doubt I'll see another Scottish Olympic champion or Britain produce another Val Barker
Oddly Vassiliy Jirov won the Val Barker trophy in Atlanta… maybe he changed his style as he became a pro? He was a slugger as a pro
Jirov was only 22 or 23 when he turned pro but he'd already been trained to death. As soon as he came to the States he took his foot off the gas. He wasn't ever fit enough to box to his potential - should have been a pro light heavyweight, not cruiser and certainly not heavyweight.
Yeh but there's always that what if eh, the Val Barker trophy is incredible, Ali won the next one, I'm trying to think if the USA has any notable Gold medalists in 1956, I know Patterson won gold in Helsinki in 52 and obviously Clay in Rome 60 , can't think of a 56 though, either way I doubt I'll see another Scottish Olympic champion or Britain produce another Val Barker
Oddly Vassiliy Jirov won the Val Barker trophy in Atlanta… maybe he changed his style as he became a pro? He was a slugger as a pro
Jirov was only 22 or 23 when he turned pro but he'd already been trained to death. As soon as he came to the States he took his foot off the gas. He wasn't ever fit enough to box to his potential - should have been a pro light heavyweight, not cruiser and certainly not heavyweight.
I agree but watch him vs Antonio Tarver. He’s no slickster
Re: British great Dick McTaggart dies at 89
Posted: 12 Mar 2025, 16:05
by margaret thatcher
its not just smooth boxers who do well in the ams, high pressure guys who can punch non stop over 3-4 rounds can do well too
