Richard Gunn
Encyclopedia
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.
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 was British amateur champion from 1894 to 1896. He was so much better than his rivals at the time that authorities asked him to retire after he won his third Amateur Boxing Association (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.
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, and is the oldest man to win an Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
boxing crown ever. He achieved this feat at the age of 37 years and 254 days.
He was born in Charing Cross
Charing Cross
Charing Cross denotes the junction of Strand, Whitehall and Cockspur Street, just south of Trafalgar Square in central London, England. It is named after the now demolished Eleanor cross that stood there, in what was once the hamlet of Charing. The site of the cross is now occupied by an equestrian...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and died in Lambeth
Lambeth
Lambeth is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated southeast of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
, London.
Gunn took up boxing at the Surrey Commercial Docks Boxing Club in 1893 after joining his father's East End tailoring business. He was British amateur champion from 1894 to 1896. He was so much better than his rivals at the time that authorities asked him to retire after he won his third Amateur Boxing Association (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.