Richard Dunn

Born on January 19, 1945, in Halifax, West Riding of Yorkshire, Richard Dunn emerged from humble beginnings to become a notable figure in British boxing. Initially dabbling in rugby during his teens and early 20s, Dunn transitioned to boxing in the early 1960s, where he started as an amateur before turning professional in his mid-20s. Despite his burgeoning boxing career, Dunn continued to work as a scaffolder, a testament to his hardworking ethos. Living in Bradford, West Yorkshire, he faced the unique challenge of not being able to afford sparring partners, relying instead on the training he received from his father-in-law.

Dunn's journey as a boxer was interwoven with his service as a non-commissioned officer in the British Army's 4th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, where he was awarded the prestigious Fishmongers' Trophy in 1974. This military discipline and resilience undoubtedly shaped his approach to the sport.

A southpaw, Dunn began his professional career on July 7, 1969, with a victory over Del Phillips in a heavyweight eliminator in Mayfair, London. However, his second fight on the same day ended in a first-round defeat to Danny McAlinden, who swept the competition to win the tournament. Dunn's persistence paid off in May 1973 when he defeated Billy Aird on points in an eliminator for the British Heavyweight Championship. Despite a setback in the final eliminator against Bunny Johnson, Dunn triumphed in a rematch at Wembley in September 1975, securing both the British and Commonwealth titles after a gruelling 15-round contest.

His first title defence came two months later against McAlinden, where Dunn emerged victorious with a knockout after sending his opponent to the canvas three times in the second round. The pinnacle of Dunn's career came on April 6, 1976, when he clinched the European Heavyweight Title by defeating Bernd August with a third-round TKO at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Dunn's career dramatically turned on May 24, 1976, when he challenged the legendary Muhammad Ali for the WBC and WBA World Heavyweight titles in Munich, Germany. Although Dunn fought with determination, he was outclassed by Ali's superior skill and power. Ali's strategic and measured punches ultimately led to a fifth-round technical knockout, marking the final knockout victory in Ali's illustrious career.

Following the bout with Ali, Dunn faced Joe Bugner in London five months later, where he relinquished his titles after a first-round knockout. His final professional fight occurred on September 10, 1977, against Kallie Knoetze in Johannesburg, ending in a fifth-round knockout. This defeat prompted Dunn to retire from the sport, closing his career with a record of 33 wins, 12 losses, and 16 knockouts.

In recognition of his contributions to boxing, the Richard Dunn Sports Centre was inaugurated in Bradford in 1978. Despite its closure and planned demolition in 2019, the centre remains a symbol of his legacy, with ongoing discussions about naming a new road on the site in his honour.

Dunn faced financial challenges post-retirement, including a failed hotel venture, and returned to scaffolding. A severe accident in 1989, where he fell 40 feet on an oil rig, left him with both legs broken. Now residing in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, with his wife Janet and three children, Dunn remains active in charity work, notably with Parkinson's UK, and serves as the honorary president of the town's amateur boxing club. In his later years, Dunn has battled dementia and Alzheimer's disease, adding another chapter to his life marked by resilience and endurance.