James Lloyd was born on the 5th of July 1939 in Liverpool and took up boxing aged 9, following his two elder brothers into the sport. A student of Caryl Gardens ABC, and briefly Liverpool Star ABC, Jim won a National Schoolboy title, reached the finals of the Junior ABA's and claimed an NABC crown.
Jim earned the right to represent Great Britain at the 1960 Olympic Games on the back of a series of victories in international dual matches. In a great era of Olympic boxing, Jim Lloyd was among the very best. He created an upset in the quarter-finals in Rome by narrowly outpointing US team captain Phil Baldwin to ensure himself a medal but home favourite Nino Benvenuti proved to be a class apart from Lloyd in his next bout and the Englishman would have to settle for bronze. Though he lost out on a decision, Jim's Olympic journey was a success. Second round stoppage victories over Sudan's Mohamed Faragella and Vasile Neagu of Romania were followed up by creating an upset in the quarter-finals in Rome by narrowly outpointing US team captain Phil Baldwin. Benvenuti won their semi-final bout and then went on to claim the gold medal. As a professional the Italian was a terrific world champion.
Jim repeated his victory over Phil Baldwin a year later as part of Great Britain’s historic 10-0 whitewash of the USA which forms a vital strand to his great boxing story. He was less successful on his European Championships debut and was eliminated at the quarter-final stage. Jim served and boxed for the British Army winning the 1962 Amateur Boxing Association British light-middleweight title. After completing his compulsory military service, he switched to the professional ranks. His pro career began badly, with a draw and defeat, and he never threatened to reach the heights that had expected for him. However some of the victories which helped build his standing within boxing circles came in one-off contests. Twice a winner over double Olympic champion Jerzy Kulej, Jim is also remembered for halting a nine bout winning streak of Scotland’s knockout king Bob Keddie.
He retired from the ring in 1969 having won 10 of his 20 bouts (3 draws) and having briefly held the South of England middleweight title. Jim then worked as a mechanic, welder, truck driver and security guard until his retirement and was one of the founders of the Skelmersdale Amateur Boxing Club with his elder brother Alan in his adopted hometown of Skelmersdale. He trained the club's young fighters there for 35 years.
He died of a heart attack, aged 73, and is survived by four children. Such was the esteem in which he was held that those who knew him well, and even those who simply admired him from afar, were keen to celebrate his triumphs as a boxer and as a man.
see also :- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2026/08/merseyside-for-sport-neil-mckechnie.html
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