George Angelo passes away

Held South African titles at two weights

23/10/2005

George Angelo passes away

George Angelo, a former South African champion at welterweight and middleweight has died in his sleep at the age of 80. Angelo turned pro in 1946 and less than two years later, he won the nation's 147-pound championship in a bout staged outside in the rain with a rain-coat wearing referee. Just 28 days later, Alf James defeated George in an immediate rematch.  In 1949, Angelo became a two-time national champion, claiming the vacant middleweight title. In 1952, he entered a bout against former world champion Randy Turpin about one year removed from Turpin's loss of the title in the rematch with Ray Robinson. Angelo entered the bout with a detached retina, yet he was skillfull enough to last the full fifteen rounds, losing a decision to Turpin. That would be his last fight, and Angelo retired with a record of 36-6. -Scott Shaffer