Former German boxing champion Jürgen Blin died at the age of 79 from kidney disease.
Blin was one of the best German professional boxers in the 1970s. In 1972 he became European champion by beating José Manuel Urtain (ESP) on points. Blin won 30 of his 48 professional fights.
He had had his moment of glory six months earlier in Zurich: on St. Stephen’s Day in 1971 he fought Muhammad Ali in the Hallenstadion – and lost by knockout in the 7th round. “Most didn’t last seven rounds with Ali,” Blin recently told the Hamburger Abendblatt.
From cabin boy to boxer
In a portrait of Blin, who was born on the Baltic Sea island of Fehmarn, the newspaper described his dazzling life: escape from his alcoholic father, as a cabin boy at sea through heavy storms, apprenticeship as a butcher in Hamburg, entry into boxing, professional at 21, after his career snack bar Owner.
In 2004 he experienced his most difficult hour when his son took his own life. In 2007, ARD moderator Waldemar Hartmann mistakenly declared him dead. In 2017 he won the lottery for 1.7 million euros – but part of it was stolen again during a burglary.
Amelia Warner
Amelia Warner writes all the Latest Articles. She mostly covers Entertainment topics, but at times loves to write about movie reviews as well.
