Richard Gunn
Gunn at 1908 Olympics in London
Personal information
Born(1871-02-16)16 February 1871
Charing Cross, London, England
Died23 June 1961(1961-06-23) (aged 90)
Lambeth, London, England
Medal record
Men's boxing
Representing  Great Britain
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1908 London Featherweight

Richard Kenneth Gunn (16 February 1871 – 23 June 1961) was a British boxer, and is the oldest man to win an Olympic boxing crown ever. He achieved this feat at the age of 37 years and 254 days.[1]

Biography

He was born in Charing Cross, London and died in Lambeth, London.

Gunn took up boxing at the Surrey Commercial Docks Boxing Club in 1893 after joining his father's East End tailoring business. He won the 1894, 1895 and 1896 Amateur Boxing Association British featherweight title, when boxing out of the various clubs.[2]

He was so much better than his rivals at the time that authorities asked him to retire after he won his third ABA title. Gunn did so, but in 1908, having served on the ABA council for more than ten years, he returned to win the Olympic title before hanging up his gloves for good. Gunn died in London aged 90, having only lost one fight in fifteen years.[3]

1908 Olympic results

Below is the record of Richard Gunn, a British featherweight boxer who competed at the 1908 London Olympics:

  • Quarterfinal: defeated Etienne Poillot (France) by second-round knockout
  • Semifinal: defeated Thomas Ringer (Great Britain) by decision, 2-0
  • Final: defeated Charles Morris (Great Britain) by decision, 2-0 (won gold medal)

References

  1. ↑ "Richard Gunn". Olympedia. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  2. ↑ "Roll of Honour". England Boxing. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  3. ↑ Wallechinsky, David (1984). The Complete Book of the Olympics. England: Penguin Books. p. 170. ISBN 0140066322.
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