The boxer, trainer, organiser, coach and referee was a legend in the Bristol boxing world
14:44, 16 Jan 2026Updated 14:45, 16 Jan 2026
Bristol boxing coach legend Wayne Bridges(Image: Sara Bridges)
The boxing world in Bristol is mourning the death of one of its biggest characters – former fighter, trainer, coach, organiser, referee and pub landlord Wayne Bridges, who has died this week after a long battle with motor neurone disease.
Wayne, who turned 60 in November, was a popular figure in the boxing scene, particularly in South Bristol, where he made his name at the Broad Plain gym in the 1980s and 90s as a powerful amateur fighter, under the coaching of Dennis Stinchcombe and the late Jim Hill.
He was born in Withywood and grew up in Highridge, and was a popular fighter across Bristol, but especially in South Bristol, where he had many amateur bouts, including several legendary fights against Ross Hale, who went on to win the British and Commonwealth titles.
After his career in the ring ended, he stayed in boxing, and became a coach at Whitchurch Amateur Boxing Club at Whitchurch Sports Centre, guiding many young people inside and out of the ring.
He was also a leading light of the white collar boxing scene in recent years, where he worked as a trainer and referee, and worked hard for the community as the landlord of the now-demolished Golden Cockerel pub in Highridge.
Tragically, Wayne, from Bedminster Down, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2021.
“He had a bad knee and had an operation but things still weren’t right, and within six weeks, he was diagnosed with MND,” said his wife Sara.
“It was so hard because he was always someone really into sports – he did cycling, scuba diving as well as the boxing. So this hit him hard because with MND everything is still in your head, it’s just your body that fails, it’s such a horrendous disease,” she added.
Bristol boxing coach legend Wayne Bridges(Image: Sara Bridges)
“He was always doing something for the community, for other people. As coach at Whitchurch, he loved working with what he called ‘the naughty boys’, lads who needed a bit of guidance, to be put straight.
“When he was deteriorating, some of them would come to visit him, now all grown up, and I’d hear them just thanking him for everything he did for them, which I know he really appreciated,” she added.
Wayne Bridges with a knockout in an amateur bout at the Cuckoo Club in Knowle West in 1993
Wayne was a well-known figure in Bristol’s boxing scene. He was friends with people across the city – from cricket legend David ‘Syd’ Lawrence and former Bristol Mayor Marvin Rees to Bristol’s world champion Glenn Catley.
His connection with Syd Lawrence dates back to the 1980s, and the pair were brought back together in tragedy as both battled MND in recent years.
Bristol boxing coach legend Wayne Bridges acted as referee for many white collar boxing fights(Image: Sara Bridges)
“He and Marvin used to train together at Broad Plain back in the day,” said Sara. “And he knew Syd for years. He used to joke that he dreaded the cricket season finishing because it would mean Syd would come into the gym and spar and hit with him and he said no one hit him as hard as Syd Lawrence,” added Sara.
One of the pair’s last public appearance together was at Ashton Gate in 2024, when they both welcomed rugby league legend Kevin Sinfield on his epic charity run for MND.
Bristol boxing coach legend Wayne Bridges, left, with David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, right, and Marcus Stewart at Ashton Gate to welcome Kevin Sinfield at the end of one of his charity runs for MND(Image: Sara Bridges)
“When Syd died, he bequeathed his electric chair to Wayne. Having MND obviously stops people working – he was working for a roofing company when he was diagnosed – and it can be tough financially, so we really appreciated Syd’s gesture,” said Sara.
“Gaynor and Buster (Syd’s wife and son) brought it over to him, and it was such an emotional moment,” she added.
Over the years of Wayne’s battle, several fundraisers and online appeals were organised by his friends, which Sara said they appreciated greatly, including one in 2022 which raised money to help the family convert their bathroom into a wet room for him.
“He’s had massive support over the past few years for right around Bristol, it’s been amazing,” said Sara.
Wayne has three children in a blended family – Henderson and Grace and ten-year-old daughter Dexi – and before he died he became a grandfather for the first time to baby Ivy.
Bristol boxing coach legend Wayne Bridges and his family – wife Sara, and children Henderson, Grace and Dexi(Image: Sara Bridges)
“He was so pleased, so proud to be a grandad and it was wonderful he got to see Ivy,” said Sara. “He was very much a family man – we’ve got such a nice blended family – and he loved them all,” she added.
Wayne’s funeral has been arranged for 12.45pm on Thursday, February 19, at the South Bristol Crematorium.