BRADFORD boxer Richard Dunn – who fought Muhammad Ali – says he is sad about the planned demise of the Odsal sports centre that carries his name.

Mr Dunn, now 72, went five founds with the world heavyweight champion on May 24, 1976 at Munich’s Olympiahalle before the fight was stopped.

The fight so inspired the city that it was decided to name the centre, which was under construction and where Mr Dunn had worked as a scaffolder before the fight, after him.

Mr Dunn was put on to the canvas twice in the last round of the bout and referee Herbert Tomser waved that it was over despite him wanting to go on.

Afterwards Ali admitted the fight was harder than he had predicted and that Mr Dunn “gave me more trouble than I expected”.

Yesterday, quipping that he came second in the match, Mr Dunn said it was a sad day when he heard there were plans to knock the centre down.

Bradford Council has already announced a £41 million scheme to build four new swimming pools and close four old ones.

The Richard Dunn Sports Centre is one of them while the others are at Bingley, Bowling and Queensbury.

“I think it’s a shame that it’s going to go, not because it was named after me and that it is something I am very proud of, but because it is centres like that one that make sportspeople, said Mr Dunn.

“Someone said houses were going to be built there. I don’t know if that’s right and I suppose people will always need houses, but sports centres like these are where people like Jessica Ennis-Hill come from. It’s a good place for kids and there could be another Richard Dunn come through the ranks. It’s a big ground and there is a lot there. It will be a shame if it does go.”

Now retired to Scarborough with his wife, Janet, Mr Dunn said the news the centre could be going had spurred him on to visit Bradford in the near future with his grandchildren.

Mrs Dunn added: “I only heard recently from my sister of the plans for it to go.

“It was such an honour that they decided to name it after Richard.

“We are really proud of that and it will be sad to think it may not be there in the future. I am right disappointed.”