The fighter quit college, where he played football with movie star James Caan, to become a professional in the ring.
A heavyweight contender in the 1960s, he was knocked down 11 times during a title fight with Floyd Patterson in 1961 – but he refused to stay on the canvas.
He retired from boxing in 1966 with a 37-14 record.
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McNeeley suffered a stroke recently, and was on life support in a Massachusetts hospital when he died on Tuesday (25Oct11).
His son Peter fought Mike Tyson in 1995.
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