Ramsey County History – Fall 1987: “Boxing in Minnesota in the Postwar Era—The Fighting Flanagans”

Boxing in Minnesota in the Postwar Era—The Fighting Flanagans
Author: Scott Wright

Glen and Del Flanagan were the most successful local professional boxers of their time. This article traces their careers. Glen began his professional career in 1946; Del in 1947; and, by 1948, both were often fighting in main events. Del won his first fifty-two bouts. Glen retired in 1956 with a record of 80-23-12. Del, who began as a lightweight, moved up to welterweight and had a fine career. He rose to seventh ranking worldwide in 1955 and missed a title fight with Carmen Basilio in 1957 because of a disorderly conduct conviction. In 1958, he beat welterweight champion Virgil Atkins in a non-title match and would have had a chance at the title had Atkins not lost it to Joey Giardello. He still fought often but with less and less success. He retired in 1964 with a record of 104-22-2.

PDF of Wright article