Mr Duguid died on Friday in a nursing home in Tewantin, Queensland.

He was 76.

Sarah Duguid spoke yesterday of a unique bond with her "just beautiful" father.

"Dad and I had a really special relationship, because it was just me and Dad for quite a long time," Ms Duguid said.

"And when someone teaches you the world holds no boundaries you believe them and run with it.

"He always said you were really lucky to have what you had, and to strive for your ideals and live your dreams.

"He was one of those people who was just so motivating and so inspirational and a lot of people felt that from Dad.

"It’s really nice to know that so many people got so much from his life."

Mr Duguid won a bronze medal in the light welterweight division at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver.

Six years later he fought in the same division in the Rome Olympics, which also marked the arrival of Muhammad Ali - then Cassius Clay junior - on the international stage.

He was inducted into The Advertiser Southern Cross Ten Sports Star of the Year Hall of Fame in 1996-97 in recognition of his achievements.

"You couldn’t tell Dad something couldn’t be done - he’d just go out there and make it happen," Ms Duguid said.

"He laughed at adversity as much as he laughed at his successes.

He was one of those people you could be around for five minutes and you would feel better.

"He was just beautiful."

Tony Duguid, the older brother of Melanie and Sarah, said he would marvel at how his father treated everyone like family.

"I’ll remember him as the best boxing instructor I’ve ever seen and the best friend I’ve ever had," Mr Duguid said.

"He regarded everyone as his sons and daughters.

I was a bit jealous of it when I was younger, but I grew out of it."

Former Australian boxing champion Scott Hosking said the man he knew as Desi was Bendigo’s "Mr Boxing".

Mr Hosking credited Mr Duguid for stoking fires of determination that led him and brother Lynden to success in the boxing ring.