Papp coached Hungary for 23 years
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Three-times Olympic boxing champion Laszlo Papp has died at the age of 77.
The Hungarian, who struck gold at middleweight in London 1948, and then prevailed at super-welterweight in Helsinki 1952 and Melbourne 1956, died in hospital after a long illness.
Papp was undefeated in 29 professional fights from 1957, and won six European professional middleweight titles.
He was on the verge of a world middleweight title shot against American champion Joey Giardello in 1965 when Hungary's communist government revoked his foreign travel permit, bringing an end to his pro career.
Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy said the nation had lost a hero.
"As a child and young man, I always wanted to see him win and gained strength from his successes."
"We have lost one of the idols of my generation," he said.
Papp coached Hungary's national boxing team for 23 years until 1992.
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MMIX
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