Trevor Francis, who was unable to attend the A Place to be Proud of Awards, was represented by his family as his decades of dedication to the town were recognised.
Mr Francis arrived in Basingstoke in 1967 as part of the Windrush generation and went on to build a lasting legacy through both sport and community work.
2026 A Place To Be Proud Of Awards. Basingstoke’s finest are recognised at the awards evening at Audleys Wood Hotel (Image: Sean Dillow)
A successful professional boxer, he competed in 38 contests between 1972 and 1977, losing only once to British great Alan Minter. But judges said his greatest impact came outside the ring.
His gym in Essex Road became a cornerstone of the community, offering young people structure, discipline and belief. Many of those he mentored have gone on to become coaches themselves, continuing his influence across generations.
He was also the father of Dean Francis, a British, European and Commonwealth champion, whose achievements reflected his father’s guidance.
Collecting the award, his daughter Colette Francis said she was “shocked” by the recognition, adding: “There are so many amazing people.”
Judges said his nearly 60 years of service had left a lasting mark on the town.