Frank Bruno’s good friend, Mark Kaylor, died on Sunday after a protracted profession, throughout which he claimed the revered ABA (England Boxing National Amateur Championships) trophy in 1980
Boxing legend Frank Bruno has advised of his heartbreak after the loss of life of a detailed pal and former ring warrior Mark Kaylor.
Mark, who claimed the revered ABA (England Boxing National Amateur Championships) trophy in 1980 and competed at that 12 months’s Moscow Olympics, died on Sunday on the age of 64. Mark and Frank got here up by way of the battle sport collectively, coaching side-by-side and frequently showing on the identical payments.
The tragedy occurred on Frank’s birthday — when he additionally turned 64 — and it has left the boxing icon bereft. The former heavyweight stated: “RIP Mark Kaylor – we skilled collectively in varied gyms and have been very often on the identical invoice once I was going by way of the ranks. From reminiscence, an enormous West Ham United fan. Very poignant for me as he handed away on my birthday aged 64 – the age I’m now.”
Mark narrowly missed out on a medal on the Moscow Olympics after a split-decision loss within the quarter-finals. Born in Canning Town, east London, Mark later turned British and Commonwealth champion earlier than retiring in 1996 and transferring to California, the place he coached boxing and even labored as an aerobics teacher.
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Speaking in one in every of his first interviews following his retirement, Mark stated: “Boxing was such a implausible a part of my life. I met so many respectable individuals. The good far outweighed the unhealthy. I simply really feel so blessed to have carried out one thing I beloved a lot for such a big a part of my life.”
The middleweight boxer, who leaves behind his spouse and three sons, was additionally a passionate West Ham United fan. The membership issued a press release honouring the athlete yesterday. It stated: “Everyone at West Ham United has been deeply saddened to be taught of the passing of former British and Commonwealth middleweight boxing champion Mark Kaylor on the age of 64.
“An ardent Hammers supporter, Kaylor was born in Canning Town and introduced up in Stanford-le-Hope in Essex earlier than transferring again to Canning Town as an adolescent to boost his boxing prospects.”
“Having joined West Ham Boxing Club, he claimed the revered ABA England Boxing National Amateur Championships trophy in 1980, after which competed at that 12 months’s Moscow Olympics, the place he reached the quarter-finals,” the tribute continued.
“Kaylor went on to forge a profitable skilled profession, throughout which he sported claret and clue trunks within the ring and was duly backed by large numbers of his fellow West Ham followers.
“He beat Roy Gumbs inside 5 rounds to assert the British and Commonwealth titles in September 1983, and loved a feisty rivalry with Errol Christie which culminated in a knockout-victory over his fellow Brit in November 1985.
“In 1991, Kaylor retired with a document of 40-7-1 (34 KOs), earlier than transferring to the USA and dealing as an aerobics teacher in California. Everyone at West Ham United want to specific their honest condolences to Mark’s household and pals at this unhappy time.”
