THE final bell has rung for one of St Helens’ most respected boxing sons, Ray Shiel, who has died from cancer, aged 70.

The heavyweight, who clashed with Thad Spencer, Johnny Prescott, Gerhard Zech and defeated British Empire Champion Joe Bygraves during the 60s, was a product of Lowe House Boxing Club.

He first laced up his gloves aged six, winning schoolboy championships and going on to fight for the Amateur Boxing Association title in 1960.

Proud sons, Ray and Kieron, said his natural weight was light heavy and he regularly gave size away to his opponents, including beating Henry Cooper’s brother, Jim on two occasions. Ray’s sons also add that Brian London, who was heavyweight champion at the time, refused to fight him.

With an amateur record of 400 fights and just six losses when he turned professional, he was challenging for titles within a handful of bouts.

As opponents fell, his reputation soared and he dined with 60s icons, the Kray twins as well as Frank Sinatra.

His pro record was 43 fights, with 23 wins, 13 knockouts and two draws.

He boxed for his country on four occasions. A tough customer, his worst injury while fighting was a broken finger.

Ray and Kieron recount a tale when their dad was fighting in Germany and he floored his opponent in the first round.

Ray said: “He started to untie his gloves, but the referee gave this guy a count of 15. He came over and told dad to put his gloves back on, which he did and lost three rounds later from a cut. I think it was because of the home town German crowd,” he joked.

“I spoke to one of his old opponents to tell him the news and he told me he had fought dad just to have his name on his record. At the time, he was as big a name as Henry Cooper. He said during the fight, he hit him as hard as he could with his right hand. Dad pulled him to one side and said ‘is that the best you’ve got’.”

A father-of-five and grandfather to four, Ray was a popular figure around his home on Hoghton Road, Sutton, and regularly raised money for charity.

Described by his sons as an “infectious character” and a “gentleman” with “a dry sense of humour”, Ray was first and foremost, a family man.

Although Ray junior followed in his father’s footsteps into the ring, he said they were actively discouraged from becoming boxers.

After his boxing career, his dad went on to work as a foreman at Pilkingtons.

His wife, Elizabeth, died in April.

Ray added: “He could have gone to fight in the USA and could have had the world in his hands. But he didn’t regret a thing. He always said he had a great life.”

Ray’s funeral will be held at All Saints Church on Ellamsbridge Road on Tuesday, December 22, at 2.30pm.

His family have asked that any charitable donations be made to the Steve Prescott Foundation.