Mark Kaylor, a British and Commonwealth middleweight champion, has died on the age of 64, together with his passing additionally being mourned by his shut good friend Frank Bruno.
Mark Kaylor throughout his struggle with Errol Christie. (Picture: Allsport UK / Getty Photos)
Boxing legend Frank Bruno has spoken of his devastation following the loss of life of his shut good friend and former ring warrior Mark Kaylor. Mark, who gained the distinguished ABA (England Boxing Nationwide Newbie Championships) title in 1980 and represented Britain at that yr’s Moscow Olympics, handed away on Sunday, on the age of 64.
Kaylor and Bruno rose via the ranks collectively, coaching alongside one another and regularly showing on the identical struggle playing cards. The tragedy occurred on Frank’s birthday, when he additionally reached 64, leaving the boxing icon heartbroken. The previous heavyweight champion mentioned: “RIP Mark Kaylor – we educated collectively in varied gyms and have been very often on the identical invoice once I was going via 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.”
Kaylor got here agonisingly near claiming an Olympic medal in Moscow after a controversial split-decision defeat within the quarter-finals. Born in Canning City, east London, Mark subsequently captured British and Commonwealth titles earlier than retiring from boxing in 1996 and relocating to California, the place he taught boxing and even served as an aerobics teacher.
Reflecting on his profession in certainly one of his first post-retirement interviews, Kaylor mentioned: “Boxing was such a improbable a part of my life. I met so many respectable individuals. The nice far outweighed the unhealthy. I simply really feel so blessed to have completed one thing I cherished a lot for such a big a part of my life.”
A passionate West Ham United fan, Kaylor was born in Canning City and raised in Stanford-le-Hope in Essex earlier than returning to his birthplace as a youngster to pursue his boxing goals.
Becoming a member of West Ham Boxing Membership, he gained the distinguished ABA England Boxing Nationwide Newbie Championships trophy in 1980 and competed within the Moscow Olympics the identical yr, reaching the quarter-finals.
Kaylor’s skilled profession noticed him proudly sporting claret and blue trunks within the ring, backed by a legion of fellow West Ham followers.
Frank Bruno misplaced a detailed good friend. (Picture: Getty)
His notable victories embody defeating Roy Gumbs inside 5 rounds to assert the British and Commonwealth titles in September 1983, and a knockout victory over Errol Christie in November 1985 following a heated rivalry.
In 1991, Kaylor retired with a formidable report of 40-7-1 (34 KOs).
West Ham United issued a heartfelt assertion yesterday, expressing their deep unhappiness on the information of Kaylor’s passing: “Everybody 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 City and introduced up in Stanford-le-Hope in Essex earlier than shifting again to Canning City as a youngster to boost his boxing prospects.
“Having joined West Ham Boxing Membership, he claimed the revered ABA England Boxing Nationwide Newbie Championships trophy in 1980, after which competed at that yr’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 report of 40-7-1 (34 KOs), earlier than shifting to the USA and dealing as an aerobics teacher in California. Everybody at West Ham United wish to categorical their honest condolences to Mark’s household and associates at this unhappy time.”
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