Boxing: The final bell for title challenger ‘Luggie’

Mar 22 2008 by Our Correspondent, South Wales Echo

FORMER British title challenger Len ‘Luggie’ Reece has died, aged 75.

The eldest of seven boys and one girl – one brother was former Cardiff City and Wales winger Gil, who died four years ago – Len was raised in the Docks and earned a medal for bravery at 12, diving into the canal to save a girl from drowning.

An outstanding amateur, he won British schools and junior titles before claiming senior Welsh crowns at two weights and turning pro in 1956.

Within 18 months he met Scot Frankie Jones for the vacant British and Empire fly belts at Porthcawl, and was well ahead on points when, drained by weight-making, he was knocked out in the 11th round.

He returned as a bantam and progressed to a final eliminator, only to be outpointed in Glasgow by local Billy Rafferty, finally hanging up the gloves in 1961.

Len worked as a stock controller until taking early retirement when he began to suffer from Parkinson’s disease.

He was confined to bed for several years before his death at St David’s Hospital, Cardiff.

He is survived by Thelma, his wife of 54 years, and their twins, Leon and Lisa.

The funeral will take place at St Mary’s RC Church, Dinas Powys, at 9.45am next Friday.