The family of 19-year-old GB boxer Jude Moore have confirmed the unexpected passing of the ‘future world champion’ prospect, who was tragically found dead on Friday. The « uniquely talented fighter » from Bristol trained at the Downend Boxing gym in Fishponds and had been due to compete in Milan, Italy this week.
Moore was a two-time national champion and had hoped to make waves in the professional ranks.
He was determined to fulfil his dreams after being introduced to the sport by both his father and uncle but now his family have been left to pick up the pieces after his devastating death.
Head coach at Downend Boxing Club, Craig Turner, has paid tribute to his former fighter, who relocated to Hertfordshire to train at Hoddesdon Boxing Academy under the management of Sab Leo in 2022.
“He was an absolute star, irreplaceable. Once you met him, you would never forget him,” he said in an emotional message.
“I think he was one of those kids who was forever young and was just not meant to get old.
“One of my favourite memories was when he was called up as a last minute replacement to box for England against a boxer from the USA who had been unbeaten in 200 bouts.
“He puffed out his chest, walked out the ‘Sweet Caroline’ and went out and beat him – that and Glenn Catley winning a world championship are my best moments in boxing. »
Hoddesdon said in a social media post that as a boxing club, they were deeply saddened by the sudden passing of their amateur boxer.
They collectively wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that we as a club are deeply saddened with the sudden passing of our amateur boxer Jude Moore.
“(He was) 19 years old with an infectious personality and he was a truly valuable asset to us from helping the club with coaching the babies boxing classes and the adults keep fit classes.
“(He was) loved by all he came into contact with and we as a club were excited by what was to come. Love to you Jude and family.”
The teenager won the Nations in both 2017 (schools) and 2019 (juniors) and also represented England at the EUBC Junior European Championship in Romania in 2017.
He was also GB Three Nations champion and won the Western Counties on five separate occasions.
Moore has also been praised for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic when he helped England Boxing with inspirational video content that young boxers could follow.
He also helped contribute with a separate video that explained how he was keeping fit during lockdown despite being forced to stay at home.
The family and friends of Moore have now set up a Go Fund Me page which has now raised £6,600 for the young fighter.
