Boxing: Former middleweight champ Scanlan dies

Former Commonwealth boxing champion Tuna Scanlan has died peacefully at the age of 80. Photo / Getty

Tuna Scanlan, a former Commonwealth middleweight boxing champion, has died peacefully in Auckland at the age of 80.

Scanlan, who was born in Apia, began his professional career in Samoa before moving to New Zealand.

He was a big-punching southpaw consistently rated among the top 20 middleweights in the world during his career. He fought 64 times, and had a 42-win, 20-loss, 2-draw record.

According to New Zealand boxing enthusiast Dave Cameron, Scanlan was a major drawcard in Auckland in the 1950s and 60s.

"He was the most exciting boxer of his era," Cameron said in the New Zealand Boxing Scrapbook. "The silky smooth southpaw was a counterpuncher with a lethal left hand. I would rate Tuna one of our all-time greats."

Scanlan won his Commonwealth title in 1964 against Bahamian Gomeo Brennan at Auckland's Carlaw Park. He twice beat British champion Mick Leahy and fought South African Dickie Williams and others, including Americans Freddie Dixon and 'Joltin' Johnny Smith.