One of Crawley's favourites sons, he 1972 Olympic bronze medallist turned pro and became world middleweight champion in 1980. Before that Minter had won British and European titles. Here are some pictures from a colourful career in and out of the boxing ring.
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Alan Minter training
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American middleweight boxer Marvin Hagler during his fight with Alan Minter which was stopped in the third round due to Minter's injuries, 27th September 1980. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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15th October 1980: Actress Diana Dors hams it up with boxer Alan Minter at the Thomas a Becket gym. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
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29th November 1976: British boxer Alan Minter meets his American opponent Sugar Ray Seales before their fight. (Photo by Frank Barratt/Keystone/Getty Images)
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English boxer Alan Minter retains his title after winning a bout against Vito at Wembley. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
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Alan Minter during a fight against American boxer Doug Demmings (1951 - 2002), Wembley, 23rd October 1979. (Photo by Colin Davey/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Alan Minter, surrounded by 'Top of the Pops' dance troupe Pan's People at his restaurant in Crawley, Sussex. Alan wears nothing but a chef's hat and a pair of boxing gloves. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Alan Minter during a fight against American boxer Doug Demmings (1951 - 2002), Wembley, 23rd October 1979. (Photo by Colin Davey/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Alan Minter, surrounded by 'Top of the Pops' dance troupe Pan's People at his restaurant in Crawley, Sussex. Alan wears nothing but a chef's hat and a pair of boxing gloves. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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Alan Minter v Kevin Finnegan in 1975
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Alan Minter at the Litlehampton Sports Awards in 2006