KIT Pompey, who figured as one of the leading contenders for the British Empire middleweight title in the 1950s era, has died at the age of 73.

For more than 40 years, Pompey lived at Gargrave, near Skipton, but he worked for much of the same period at Rolls Royce, in Barnoldswick. Even beyond normal retirement age, he continued to work as a doorman at East Lancashire nightspots in Nelson and Burnley, where he was renowned for his diplomacy.

He was also a frequent attender at East Lancashire gymnasiums, almost until his 70th birthday. A native of British Guinea - later to become Guyana - he was his country's amateur champion and also represented the West Indies and Caribbean at international level.

At the height of his boxing career, Pompey figured among the leading contenders for the British Empire middleweight title, fighting a succession of impressive bouts against British, British Empire, and European champions including Wally Thom, Eddie Thomas, Billy Thompson and Alex Burton. His funeral takes place tomorrow at Gargrave Parish Church beginning at 1.30pm.

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