RONNIE CLARK very much doubts that he will ever be recognised in boxing circles in the same way that fellow Dundonian Dick McTaggart is regarded by his contemporaries.

But the 30-year-old super-featherweight is keen to let his voice be heard in calling for Dundee’s most famous boxing son to be honoured with the erection of a statue in his home city.

Clark considers it somewhat absurd that the local council saw fit to give their blessing to a monument commemorating a comic magazine character created two years after McTaggart’s birth in 1935.

The statue in question is of Desperate Dan, of Dandy fame, the wild-west strongman who supposedly shaves with a blowtorch and is capable of lifting a steer with one hand after a serving of his Aunt Aggie’s cow pie.

It leads Clark to suggest that local councillors perhaps think more of Desperate Dan than they do of a real life hero.

Calling for the oversight to be rectified, Clark said: “It’s disgraceful the way Dick McTaggart has gone unrecognised considering what he achieved.

“Imagine there being a statue to Desperate Dan in the middle of Dundee but nothing recognising the man who put the city on the map in sporting terms. Dick is a true gentleman and an absolute legend so there should definitely be a statue of him in a prominent spot.

“There is a bronze bust of Dick at the local St Francis Boxing Club but that’s tucked away in a backroom when it should be on public display for everyone to see.

“Even the Dick McTaggart Sports Centre is used for gymnastics rather than boxing. He deserves better and far greater recognition and respect than he is currently afforded after such a remarkable career.”

McTaggart, who turned 80 earlier this month, has been largely ignored despite being regarded as Britain’s greatest amateur ring star, according to Clark.

Winner of the Olympic lightweight gold medal at the 1956 Games in Melbourne and bronze four years later in Rome, McTaggart was also awarded the Val Barker Trophy as the Games’ outstanding boxer.

He had 634 bouts in total, winning 610 of them, although he was never tempted to turn pro, due, it is has been suggested, to less-than-perfect vision.

McTaggart also won Commonwealth Games gold and silver medals in a glittering 10-year career which saw him crowned ABA Champion five times, as well as European champion.

But his home city has so far failed to acknowledge his achievement in the form of a lasting tribute despite McTaggart being made an MBE and a member of the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame.

Meanwhile, Desperate Dan had better beware, for Clark revealed that he was once struck a glancing blow on the chin with a hammer – and hardly flinched!