He moved to Nottingham from Jamaica as a child and later held the prestigious title of British champion
06:00, 08 Sep 2026Updated 07:42, 08 Sep 2026
Tony Laing won his Lonsdale Belt in 1986 after a victory against Clinton McKenzie at the Royal Albert Hall in London
Tributes have been paid to boxing legend Tony Laing, who spent decades coaching and mentoring young people in Nottingham after a professional career.
Those who knew the former welterweight champion say his “legacy will not be forgotten” following his recent death at the age of 68 on August 30.
Originally born in Jamaica, Tony moved to England as a child and became a professional boxer in the 1970s, later holding the prestigious title of British and Commonwealth champion.
He was the brother of fellow professional boxer Kirkland Laing and is best remembered for a fine run of wins in the 1980s.
Tony later went on to coach at various boxing gyms across Nottingham, acting as a mentor and a role model for young people across the city.
Dr Marcellus Baz BEM, a close friend of Tony’s and fellow boxing coach, says the former champion’s influence can be seen across Nottingham.
“I was deeply saddened to hear about Tony’s passing,” said Mr Baz, who heads the Switch Up charity and the Nottingham School of Boxing gym.
“Tony was a good friend and someone I had a huge amount of respect for. He was a true boxing man who lived and breathed the sport.
“As a former British and Commonwealth champion, Tony achieved a great deal in his own career, but his contribution went far beyond what he accomplished inside the ring.
Tony (left) is pictured with his brother and fellow professional boxer Kirkland in 1987(Image: Copyright Unknown)
“He dedicated so much of his time to coaching and supporting generations of young people and boxers across Nottingham, and his influence can be seen in so many people within our boxing community.
“He was respected throughout our community and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family and everyone who knew and loved him.”
After growing up in Nottingham, Tony moved to London and lived in the capital whilst training for his title fights.
During his 1980s heyday, he became best known for a string of back-to-back wins against former European light welterweight title holder Clinton McKenzie.
His professional career came to an end in the late 1980s, but he would continue to offer advice to budding boxers until the final months of his life.
Dr Lisa McKenzie, a senior lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire, was once coached by the former heavyweight at the Liberty Gym in Sneinton and wrote about his influence in her 2015 book Getting By.
“For those of us who have been around the rough and ready boxing gyms of Nottingham, he was a staple for many years,” said Dr McKenzie, who lived in St Ann’s.
“He always mentored me and as a woman, he got me quite fit. He gave a lot of young lads advice and would use the boxing gym for life lessons.
“He would always tell them ‘don’t go looking out the ring as there’s nothing out there’. When he was a professional, he took it really seriously and was incredibly fit.
Former mixed martial artist and kickboxer Paul Daley (L) pictured with Tony around 2010(Image: Copyright Unknown)
“When he came back to Nottingham, he passed all those life lessons onto the young lads.”
Tony’s brother Kirkland, himself a former British and European champion, died in 2021 and was laid to rest after a service at St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market.
Kirkland was seen as a more flamboyant fighter than his younger brother and is best remembered for his fine victory on American soil against the great Roberto Duran back in 1982.
Former world champion boxer Jawaid Khaliq MBE also trains young people across Nottingham, and he says he’ll remember Tony for his “old school” coaching style.
“I watched him back in the day, but when I met him as a coach, he was very passionate, and he clearly loved it,” Mr Khaliq told the Nottingham Post.
“I’ve worked with quite a few people that came from his gym and they said he was very tough and pushed people past their limits.
“That always used to make me smile and laugh because that’s the style we were brought up on. He’s a Nottingham legend and I don’t think he gets enough credit.”
Midlands boxing promoters Ashton Promotions also paid tribute to Tony, adding: “A huge loss to Nottingham and the local boxing community.
“Tony brought so many fighters through and onto our shows over the years. A true boxing man who will be greatly missed by everyone. Rest easy Tony.”