Tom McNeeley

Thomas William McNeeley Jr. was a heavyweight boxer in the 1950s and 1960s. He came from Arlington, Massachusetts, and played football for Michigan State University. His son, Peter McNeeley, and father, Tom McNeeley Sr., were also boxers.

Career

Tom McNeeley had his first professional bout at the Norwood Stockcar Arena July 17, 1958. On December 4, 1961, McNeeley challenged Floyd Patterson for the List of heavyweight [boxing champions|world heavyweight championship], McNeeley's most famous bout. McNeeley was on the November 13, 1961, cover of Sports Illustrated. He later served eight years as the boxing commissioner of the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission.

Death

McNeeley died on October 25, 2011, at the age of 74 of complications from a seizure.