European Heavyweight Champion Jürgen Blin Dies at 79, Fought Muhammad Ali in 1971
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Hamburg, Germany (May 9th,2022)– Former European Heavyweight champion Jurgen Blin of Germany, who fought Joe Bugner twice, Muhammad Ali, won the European Heavyweight championship after fighting Ali, and fought his last bout against number one heavyweight contender Ron Lyle, has died of Kidney disease in his native Hamburg, Germany at age 79. Blin’s death was confirmed by his son Jorg Blin. Blin is survived by his two sons and his longtime girlfriend.
A butcher by trade, Blin turned pro at Sporthalle in Cologne, Germany, in October 1964 with a four round decision win over Klaus Krueger. During his nine year professional career between 1964 and 1973, Blin fought 48 times, winning 30, losing 12, and drawing six bouts. Blin won the European Heavyweight champion in Madrid, Spain, by winning a 15 round decision in a rematch over Jose Manuel Urtain in June 1972, back in the old 15 round era. In May 1972, Blin had lost a 15 round split decision to Joe Bugner at Wembley in London for the European Heavyweight title. In his rematch with rematch with Bugner, Blin was knocked by Bugner in the eighth round at Royal Albert Hall in London, United Kingdom in October 1972.
After knocking out Danny Machado in Kiel, Germany, in February 1973, Blin made his final ring appearance in October 1973, getting knocked out in the second round by heavyweight contender Ron Lyle in Denver, Colorado, Blin’s only appearance in the United States. Blin fought his entire career inside Germany, except for his two bouts with Bugner in London, and his two bouts with Urtain in Catalonia and Madrid, Spain, his bout with Ali in Switzerland, and the bout with Lyle.
Blin became famous when he fought Muhammad Ali at Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, in December 1971, putting up a courageous but losing effort to Ali, getting knocked out by Ali in the seventh round. Blin co-wrote the book “Facing Ali” with Stephen Brunt in 2002, documenting his journey into the bout with Ali, before Ali regained the heavyweight title against George Foreman. After his retirement, Blin remained in the public eye in Germany, as he owned and ran a tavern pub and several snack bar cafes for many years in downtown Hamburg.
No Comments Yet