Jimmy Batten dead at 70: Tributes flood in for British champion boxer who was forced to retire with brain damage

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 10:52 EDT, 2 September 2026 | Updated: 10:58 EDT, 2 September 2026 Former British boxer Jimmy Batten has passed away at the age of 70.The ex-British light-middleweight champion had been battling brain damage from his boxing career, as well as Parkinson's disease.He made a name for himself in the 1970s and 1980s, and had his most famous fight in 1982 when he lost against Roberto Duran via unanimous decision. Many had expected him to lose early, having been stopped by Mario Maldonado in the first round just six months earlier, but a gutsy performance saw him take it all the way.Batten was part of Terry Lawless's famous London gym having started boxing at the age of six, with the likes of John H Stracey, Maurice Hope and Charlie Magri hailing from the same place.Stracey paid tribute to his friend on social media, posting: 'So sad to hear about my dear friend Jimmy Batten passing away.'My great stablemate and sparring partner of many, many years… God bless you, my friend.' Former British boxer Jimmy Batten (pictured) has passed away at the age of 70 Batten was famed for going the distance against Roberto Duran in his 1982 defeatOne fan, meanwhile, wrote on social media: 'More sad news. RIP Jimmy Batten. I knew he hadn't been well for a while but such terrible news, aged just 70. A GENUINE British boxing legend.'Another shared: 'Rest well Jimmy', alongside praying emojis. Batten's final fight was in 1983, when he was beaten by Prince Rodney to finish competing with a record of 40 wins and nine defeats.Upon his retirement, Batten took up acting, but started to battle brain damage soon after his retirement and had to attend speech therapy to cope with the effects.He also worked as a comedian and a doorman, and briefly as a boxing trainer, and spent time in prison after an altercation with three customers while a doorman.He said of his career, via BoxingScene: 'Why would I change anything? I loved every minute of it. I'm just sad that I can't do it anymore.'There's not many people who can say they were British champion and went the distance with Duran, is there?'