A teen boxer dubbed a "future world champion" who had represented Team England has died suddenly, aged 19.
The family of Jude Moore, from Bristol, confirmed the "uniquely talented fighter", from one of the UK's most deprived neighbourhoods, was tragically found dead on Friday.
Jude, a two-time National Champion who was due to fight in Milan this week, had represented the Three Lions at the EUBC Junior European Championships in Romania in 2017. He had also represented Downend, Hoddesdon and Team England "with pride", England Boxing said.
Head Coach at Downend, Craig Turner, said he was "devastated" by the loss and that "a leading light in the world had gone out".
“The fact that he came from one of the most deprived wards in Great Britain to do what he did and achieved what he did is nothing short of amazing. Downend Boxing Club exists for people like him," he said.
“I know that Glenn and other fantastic boxers from the area won’t mind me saying this, but I think he was the most talented kid I have seen come out of Bristol.
“He was an absolute star, irreplaceable. Once you met him, you would never forget him,” he added. “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.
“Jude lived for his boxing. He lived and breathed it. I have never seen anyone with such an analytical mind and he could real of the statistics of all the champions at all the weights.
“He was outstanding at everything he did and we are devastated. He didn’t burn for long, but he burned very brightly for the time he did.”
A GoFundMe page had been set up to help Jude's family with funeral costs, which remembered the teen as a "highly talented, supremely fit 19 year old".
"His parents, Mark and Carla, and brothers, Ethan and Beau, currently have no answers as to what happened to this larger-than life character," it read.
"Whilst nothing anyone can say or do can lessen the sense of loss they and everyone who knew Jude feels, we can show them our love and support with a donation towards the cost of the funeral that should never have to be.
"RIP Jude Moore - once met, never forgotten."
At the time of writing, the page had raised more than £6,500.
A tribute from England Boxing said the organisation was "deeply saddened" to learn of the passing of the boxer, after he had represented Downend, Hoddesdon and Team England "with pride".
"He was also a GB Three Nations champion and also Western Counties champion on no less than five occasions. Moore came through the ranks of Bristol club Downend before moving to Home Counties’ Hoddesdon earlier this year," the oorganisation said.
"He was a popular and well-liked member of the boxing community, who often coached and gave advice to younger boxers."
