Frank Bruno’s friend, Mark Kaylor, died on Sunday after a long career, during which he claimed the revered ABA (England Boxing National Amateur Championships) trophy in 1980
Frank Bruno is devastated after death of Mark Kaylor
Boxing legend Frank Bruno has told of his heartbreak after the death of a close pal and former ring warrior Mark Kaylor.
Mark, who claimed the revered ABA (England Boxing National Amateur Championships) trophy in 1980 and competed at that year’s Moscow Olympics, died on Sunday at the age of 64. Mark and Frank came up through the fight game together, training side-by-side and regularly appearing on the same bills.
The tragedy happened on Frank’s birthday — when he also turned 64 — and it has left the boxing icon bereft. The former heavyweight said: “RIP Mark Kaylor – we trained together in various gyms and were quite often on the same bill when I was going through the ranks. 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.”
Mark narrowly missed out on a medal at the Moscow Olympics after a split-decision loss in the quarter-finals. Born in Canning Town, east London, Mark later became British and Commonwealth champion before retiring in 1996 and moving to California, where he coached boxing and even worked as an aerobics instructor.
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Mark Kaylor is seen, right, duelling with Buster Drayton at an arena in London in 1984(Image: ExpressStar)
Speaking in one of his first interviews following his retirement, Mark said: “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 a passionate West Ham United fan. The club issued a statement honouring the athlete yesterday. It said: “Everyone at West Ham United has been deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former British and Commonwealth middleweight boxing champion Mark Kaylor at the age of 64.
“An ardent Hammers supporter, Kaylor 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.”
“Having joined West Ham Boxing Club, he claimed the revered ABA England Boxing National Amateur Championships trophy in 1980, and then competed at that year’s Moscow Olympics, where he reached the quarter-finals,” the tribute continued.
Mark, a middleweight boxer, is pictured in late 1986(Image: ExpressStar)
Frank remembered the career of his longtime pal
“Kaylor went on to forge a successful professional career, during which he sported claret and clue trunks in the ring and was duly backed by huge numbers of his fellow West Ham fans.
“He beat Roy Gumbs within five rounds to claim the British and Commonwealth titles in September 1983, and enjoyed 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 record of 40-7-1 (34 KOs), before moving to the USA and working as an aerobics instructor in California. Everyone at West Ham United would like to express their sincere condolences to Mark’s family and friends at this sad time.”