The boxing world is in mourning following the death of former British and Commonwealth champion Mark Kaylor at the age of 64. The news has particularly devastated boxing legend Frank Bruno, who was a close friend and contemporary of Kaylor.
A Friendship Forged in the Ring
Frank Bruno shared an emotional statement following the passing of his longtime friend, which occurred on Sunday, coincidentally also Bruno's 64th birthday. The former heavyweight champion expressed his profound heartbreak, remembering their years training together and frequently appearing on the same fight bills as they came up through the boxing ranks.
"RIP Mark Kaylor - we trained together in various gyms and were quite often on the same bill when I was going through the ranks," Bruno stated. "From memory, a big West Ham United fan. Very poignant for me as he passed away on my birthday aged 64 - the age I am now."
A Distinguished Boxing Career
Mark Kaylor enjoyed a celebrated career in boxing, beginning with his amateur triumph in 1980 when he claimed the revered ABA (England Boxing National Amateur Championships) trophy. This victory paved the way for his participation in the Moscow Olympics that same year, where he narrowly missed out on a medal after a split-decision loss in the quarter-finals.
Born in Canning Town, east London, Kaylor turned professional and achieved significant success. In September 1983, he beat Roy Gumbs within five rounds to claim the British and Commonwealth titles. His career was marked by notable rivalries, including a fierce competition with Errol Christie that culminated in a knockout victory for Kaylor in November 1985.
Kaylor retired from professional boxing in 1996 with an impressive record of 40-7-1, including 34 knockout victories. Following his retirement, he moved to California where he worked as a boxing coach and even served as an aerobics instructor.
Legacy and Tributes
In one of his post-retirement interviews, Kaylor reflected fondly on his boxing life: "Boxing was such a fantastic part of my life. I met so many decent people. The good far outweighed the bad. I just feel so blessed to have done something I loved so much for such a large part of my life."
The middleweight boxer, who leaves behind his wife and three sons, was also known for his passionate support of West Ham United. The football club paid tribute to their ardent supporter, noting he was born in Canning Town and brought up in Stanford-le-Hope in Essex before moving back to Canning Town as a teenager to enhance his boxing prospects.
West Ham United's statement highlighted how Kaylor "sported claret and blue trunks in the ring and was duly backed by huge numbers of his fellow West Ham fans" throughout his professional career.
The boxing community and sports fans across the UK are remembering Mark Kaylor not only for his achievements in the ring but for the character and passion he brought to the sport he loved.
