Winston Van Cuylenburg

When he was young Winston Van Cuylenburg would box with his three brothers, winning a national flyweight title whilst still at school. Van Cuylenburg’s potential was soon spotted by a coach, with him then competing in the Indo-Ceylon schools boxing meets. In 1963 he won the best boxer award at a meet in Pakistan, along with winning silver at the Asian Boxing Championships in Bangkok. Still only 19-years-old, these performances earned him a place on the Olympic team for the 1964 Games in Tokyo. In the flyweight class Van Cuylenburg first defeated Lee Kam Wah (HKG) by knock-out before losing to Constantin Ciucă (ROU) by decision.

In 1965 Van Cuylenburg beat the bantamweight champion at a meet in Singapore, winning a trophy for the best boxer. That same year he resigned from the Sri Lanka Army and moved to England. The following year he made his professional début, winning his first fight. He had mixed fortunes as a pro, winning four of his first six fights, before losing his next seven. His fifth and final win came in 1968, finishing his pro career with a record of 16 fights, five wins, and 11 defeats. Van Cuylenburg fought all but one of his pro fights in England, living in London until his death in May 2019.