Former world boxing champion Walter McGowan has died, aged 73.

The Hamilton fighter won Scottish, British, European and Empire titles before defeating Italy's Salvatore Burruni at Wembley over 15 rounds to land the world flyweight title in 1966.

Walter McGowan (left) shows Salvatore Burruni around Piccadilly after they had signed a contract to fight for the WBA world flyweight title

In McGowan's next fight, he won the British and Empire title at bantamweight when he defeated Alan Rudkin, again at Wembley.

He won 32 of his 40 professional fights before retiring in 1969.

Read Full Story >>>

Walter McGowan dead: Former flyweight world champion dies aged 73

The Scottish fighter won 32 of his 40 professional fights

Walter McGowan, the former flyweight world-boxing champion and the first Scottish world-boxing champion in the Queen’s Birthday list, has died aged 73.

Known for his excellent footwork, the Hamilton fighter suffered only two defeats in 124 amateur bouts before turning professional in 1961 after winning the British Amateur Boxing Association’s flyweight title.

Read Full Story >>>

Boxing: Sport mourns Walter McGowan - a Scottish legend

Martin Hannan - thenational.scot

ONE of Scotland’s greatest boxers, former world flyweight champion Walter McGowan, has died at the age of 73.

His death took place in Monklands Hospital on Monday night. He is survived by a son and daughter, and two grandchildren.

McGowan, who was born in Hamilton in1942, had suffered from dementia for many years.

Walter McGowan was the son of Thomas McGowan, a miner who boxed professionally under the name of Joe Gans in tribute to the great American fighter of that name.

Read Full Story >>>

Scots former world champion boxer Walter McGowan dies aged 73

Gerry Braiden - heraldscotland.com

BOXING promoter Alex Morrison has led tributes to former world champion Walter McGowan following his death, aged 73.

The Lanarkshire fighter won the Scottish, British, European and Empire titles before defeating Italy's Salvatore Burruni at Wembley over 15 rounds to land the world flyweight title in 1966,.

McGowan, who also became the first Scots boxer honoured by the Queen – with an MBE – for his world title win, died peacefully at Monklands Hospital on Monday night.

McGowan had been in poor health in recent years and was living in a nursing home in Bellshill.

Read Full Story >>>