Coventry's former British middleweight champion, Mick Leahy, has died after a long battle with Alzheimer's at the age of 74.

He was best known for his win against the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson at the Ice Rink in Paisley in 1964, outpointing the American over ten rounds.

Leahy won the British title knocking out George Aldridge in the first round at the Ice Rink in Nottingham, but his title reign ended in his first defence when he was beaten by Wally Swift.

He went fifteen rounds with Hungarian Laszlo Papp for the European middleweight title just a month after the Robinson fight.

Leahy also challenged for British and Commonwealth welterweight titles and the Commonwealth middleweight belt.

Leahy was managed by George Middleton who also managed Randy Turpin who had beaten Robinson 13 years earlier.

Leahy’s funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 18, at the Lady of Consumption Church, Hawthorn Road, Tile Hill (9.45am).