MORE than 250 people came to Mangotsfield School for a tournament held in memory of former pupil Jude Moore.
The Voice reported last month that Jude, 19 had died suddenly in Hertfordshire, where he was training with a view to turning professional, in March.
The teenager had been tipped to be a future world champion, and news of his passing, which police say followed a “medical episode”, left his family and friends devastated.
Jude, who grew up in Hillfields, Fishponds, had been a prefect at Mangotsfield School, and head teacher Hetty Blackmore said he “inspired others wherever he went”.
In April the school was the venue for a memorial tournament staged in his honour by Downend Boxing Club, where Jude had started his career.
Complete silence descended on the school’s sports hall as the sport’s Western Counties regional secretary, Mike Hemming, rang the traditional ten-bells salute, which has been rung at tournaments all across the country in Jude’s memory.
It was followed by a massive round of applause and emotional scenes, as those who attended sang along to The Beatles’ ‘Hey Jude’.
There was a great reception at the event for Jude’s brother Ethan, himself a former double National champion and junior European silver medallist, before 14 bouts and four skills contests were staged between Downend Boxing Club members and contenders from other clubs around the West of England and Wales.
Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees and former WBC World super middleweight champion Glenn Catley, who boxed each other twice many years ago, were on hand to present the prizes and watched their sons, Caleb Rees and Riley Catley, both take wins.
Downend Boxing Club coach Craig Turner said: “Mangotsfield school were quite simply outstanding in supporting us to put the event together, and we are hugely grateful.
“We are just amazed by the support and generosity from the clubs of the Western Counties, Hoddesdon and County Wexford.”
Jude was a National Champion at Schools level in 2017, aged 14, while a pupil at Mangotsfield School, and Juniors in 2019.
He had represented England in European championships, boxed internationally, won a GB Three Nations championship and was Western Counties champion five times representing Downend Boxing Club, based at the Harry Crook Centre in Fishponds.
Jude’s funeral on April 12 at Bristol Cathedral was packed with those who knew and loved him – friends, family and figures from the sport.
As a tribute to the title he never lived to contest, Craig ended a eulogy to Jude by announcing him as a world champion, with the congregation bursting into applause.
Jude’s brothers Ethan and Beau also took part, with Ethan telling moving and funny stories from their years growing up together and Beau reading a poem, The Boxer’s Prayer.