The former Spanish light-heavyweight champion Francisco Fiol has died at the age of 74 after a long illness, according to reports in both Spain and Switzerland.

Fiol moved to Switzerland with his mother aged 12, and took up boxing. After around 100 amateur fights – and a short stint as sparring partner for Muhammad Ali when Ali trained for his fight in 1971 against Jurgen Blin in Zurich – he turned professional in 1974. He fought mainly in Switzerland and Spain, and won the Spanish title in 1976 

He twice challenged for the European title, when he lost to the Yugoslavian great Mate Parlov, and Italy’s Aldo Traversaro.

Fiol concluded his career in 1979 when losing to Felipe “Pantera” Rodriguez, also of Spain, in an attempt to win the Spanish heavyweight title. His record was 22-6-1 (16KOs).