Jamaican boxing icon George “Bunny” Grant, best remembered for his gold medal exploit at the 1962 British Empire (Commonwealth) Games, has died at age 78 after battling illness for some time.

Grant was the face of Jamaica’s boxing between the 1950’s and 70’s.

At 21, Grant defeated Britain’s Dave Charnley inside the National Stadium to gift Jamaica the lightweight boxing gold medal two days before the country gained Independence on August 6, 1962.

Olivia Grange, the minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, who last year presided over a Sports Development Foundation project responsible for refurbishing Grant’s home, paid tribute to the man regarded as Jamaica’s boxing pioneer.

“Long before Lennox Lewis, before Mike McCallum, before Shrimpy Clarke, there was Bunny Grant,” the statement said.

“We will forever remember his victory over Dave Charnley, the Commonwealth Lightweight Champion, at the National Stadium on August 4, 1962 — just two days before Jamaica’s Independence Day. The happy impact of that victory on the entire country is a feeling I can never forget.

“Bunny’s passion and humility endeared him to all. We all followed and celebrated with him throughout his 19-year career. Each of his victories was a victory for the Jamaican people.

 

“We have lost a great champion,” the release added.

Grant had a ring record of 52 wins, 15 losses and five draws. He won 14 of his fights by way of knockout.