The world of boxing, yesterday, lost a person who had given so much to the sport with the sad announcement that the legend that was Mickey Duff had passed away, aged 84.
In my developing years Mickey Duff?s name was synonymous with Boxing, it was his offices, in the Soho area of London, that I trudged to purchase fight tickets and also collect several fight posters that are now stored away in my own personal collection.
Duff as a promoter and manager presided over an array of British fighting talent that would be the envy of those in the game today. Amongst those he guided to the pinnacle of the sport were ? Frank Bruno, Alan Minter, Lloyd Honeyghan, John Conteh and Joe Calzaghe.
Duff was Polish by birth and born in Monek Prager in Krakow, Poland. His own career as a boxer was far from distinguished and he?d moved into promoting at the tender age of 15. Partnerships with Jack Solomons and Jarvis Astaire helped cement his place as a prominent figure in the sport.
His tenure as the leading promoter lasted decades and was only broken by the emergence of Frank Warren who had this to say about the legend,
‘He was one of the most important figures in post-War British boxing.’
‘At his pinnacle he was one of the most astute match-makers.’
Duff retired from the sport in 1999, keeping a promise that he would do if Billy Schwer failed to win the WBC lightweight title.
Inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the same year, Duff leaves a lasting legacy that is a tribute to his skills and prowess in a sport that we?ve all come to love.
Mickey Duff ? RIP
Mickey Duff ? RIP
