Frank Gilfeather also paid tribute to his great friend Walter McGowan.
“The recent death of Walter evoked memories of a golden time in Scottish boxing,” he said.
“The flyweight from Hamilton proved how gifted he was by winning the world championship with his victory over the Italian holder Salvatore Burruni at the Empire Pool and Sports Arena, Wembley.
“That came about in June 1966 and it was one of many of McGowan’s 40 fights I helped him prepare for.
“We would be at it several days at a time in Hamilton where we’d do a five-mile run in hobnail boots — no trainers in those days.
“This would be followed by a swim at the local baths.
“Then there would be two further sessions in the gym at lunchtime and early evening during which we sparred many rounds.
“Walter’s father Joe Gans — he took the ring name of a former world lightweight champion of the early 1900s — had first ‘employed’ me as sparring partner when I was barely 16, telling me I was the only one that could make his son think.”
Frank, now, of course, a well-known journalist and broadcaster, continued: “Walter was immensely talented and arguably possessed the greatest repertoire of punches of any Scottish boxer.
“He had the ability to switch his feet and body to allow him to throw punches from a variety of angles which meant that, were you in the ring with him and experienced a lapse in concentration, you could end up with a sore face.
“Take my word for it!
“He was also a popular man with the right balance of confidence in his own talent and a modesty that brought him many admirers from fans from all over the world.
“Had he not been prone to cuts, an affliction that cost him his world championship to Chartchai Chionoi (Thailand), Walter would have gone on to be one of the world’s great boxers.
“A frequent visitor to Dundee — the picture at the far left shows us squaring-up prior to a promotion at the former Rialto Cinema in Lochee in 1963 — Walter McGowan’s decline when his career ended was sad.
“Still, he leaves behind memories of a wonderful sportsman who always did Scotland proud.”
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