Singh, who died in hospital at Kurukshetra in Haryana, came from a humble background and spent his early days working as a farmer in Punjab's Malwa region.

He joined the Indian Army in 1971 and was at the front, in Barmer sector of Rajasthan, in the 1972 war against Pakistan and was later awarded the Sena Medal.

It was during his stint in the Army that, Kaur Singh’s boxing journey began as he took up the sport in in 1977.

Singh won India's National Championships in the heavyweight division two years later and remained national champion until 1983.

As well as his Asian Games title in Delhi, he also won gold at the 1980 Asian championships held in Mumbai - then known as Bombay.

Kaur Singh had the distinction of being the only Indian boxer to have fought Ali.

The two engaged in a four-round exhibition match at Delhi's National Stadium, which was won by Ali.

"His punches had great power," Singh recalled.

"I clearly remember that jab, his famous jab.

"It seemed to come out of nowhere.

"He used his right hand to block my punches, and his counterpunch to hit me.

"His speed was amazing; not once during those four rounds did the speed drop.

"He was shorter than me but his ring craft and movement took him out of my reach."

Kaur Singh’s Asian Games gold medal earned him the Arjuna Award, India’s second-highest National Sports Award in 1982.

A year later, Kaur Singh was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour for his contributions to Indian boxing. 

He retired from the ring after representing India at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, where he lost his second-round bout against Henry Tillman of the United States, who went on to win the gold medal.

In 1988, Singh was given the Vishisht Seva Medal by the Indian Army for his exemplary service.

After retiring from the Army, Singh, who later became an assistant sub-Inspector in the Punjab Police, had returned to his native village Khanal Khurd.

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema told the Indian Tribune: "I have got to know that Kaur Singh died at Kurukshetra.

"It’s a big loss to the country.

"I have directed the officials concerned to make arrangements to bring his body to his native village.

"We will extend all help to the family."

Nine years ago India Today reported that Singh had had to go to a moneylender to raise funds for urgent medical treatment.

Singh is survived by two sons and a daughter.

His inspiring journey as an athlete, along with the stories of legendary hockey player Balbir Singh and India's track and field icons Milkha Singh and Gurbachan Singh Randhawa, were were included in the school curriculum by the State Government of Punjab earlier in 2023.