Nicolae Linca gained his fame by becoming Romania’s first - and at the time of his death, only - Olympic boxing champion. Fighting with a broken finger, he defeated Ireland’s Fred Tiedt in a controversial decision. Apart from this title, Linca had also won bronze medals in the welterweight division at the 1953 and 1955 European Championships. Professional careers were not allowed for fighters from the communist Romania and he always remained an amateur. In total, he disputed 306 fights, losing only 25. In the 1990s, journalists found Linca living in poverty, suffering from Parkinson’s disease and, later, Alzheimer. He was granted an allowance as an Olympic medallist, but continued to suffer from his illnesses until his death at age 79.
Romania