Skeets Gallacher

Background

As a boy he was trained as a boxer by his father, who identified him as a natural southpaw.

Career

Richard was nicknamed Skeets after a film character of the day and had his first fight in 1942 weighing only 7 stones (44 kg). His professional careers was cut short by injury, but he remained a well-respected figure still involved in later years in keep fit classes and local boxing clubs. Gallacher Way in Renton was named after him in 1995.

Achievements

• Skeets went on to win 34 consecutive amateur contests and in doing so became Scottish and British Champion. Defeats of French and American rivals later saw him crowned unofficial amateur flyweight champion of the world.