Tom McNeeley boxer

Thomas William McNeeley Jr. (February 27, 1937 – October 25, 2011) was a heavyweight boxer in the 1950s and 1960s. He hailed from Arlington, Massachusetts, and played football for Michigan State University. McNeeley had his first professional bout at the Norwood Stockcar Arena July 17, 1958.On December 4, 1961, McNeeley challenged Floyd Patterson for the world heavyweight championship. McNeeley was on the November 13, 1961 cover of Sports Illustrated. McNeeley served eight years as the boxing commissioner of the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission.Tom McNeeley's son Peter McNeeley and father, Tom McNeeley Sr., were also boxers.Tom McNeeley died on October 25, 2011 at the age of 74 of complications from a seizure.