Jude Moore: Tributes to ‘future world champion’ boxer from Bristol tragically dead aged 19

‘He had more ability in his little finger than I ever had’ - some tribute from former boxing world champion Glenn Catley on a teenage boxer from Bristol who has tragically died, triggering an outpouring of emotion in his local community.

Jude Moore was just 19 when he was found dead in his room while at the Hoddesdon Boxing Academy in Hertfordshire on Friday. His death has left the Bristol boxing community he came from, and was still very much part of, in complete shock.

Craig Turner, of Downend Boxing Club, which Jude joined when he was 10, told Bristol World: “Pure, pure shock - we send him away and just look forward to his many successes and feel really proud that he was one of our own. Then this, we’re all completely devastated.”

Jude came from Hillfields, one of the most deprived areas in Bristol, and was taken to the local club with his brother while still in primary school. He excelled, winning the 2017 England Boxing School Champion aged 14. Two years later he won the 2019 England Boxing Junior Champion.

Last year he moved to Hoddesdon to progress his career. He beat the Polish national champion in his first senior fight last week. And on Thursday he was due to fly out to Italy on Thursday to compete again.

“He’d have won that [fight in Italy],” said Mr Turner. “He was just unbelievably gifted and a hard, hard worker. I think he would have gone on to become Bristol’s third world champion after Glenn (Glenn Catley) and Lee (Lee Haskins) - he was that good.”

Jude’s head coach at Hoddeson shares Mr Turner’s belief in the teenager’s ability. Sab Lio said: “(He was) 19 years old with an infectious personality and he was a truly valuable asset to us from helping the club with coaching the babies boxing classes and the adults keep fit classes.

“(He was) loved by all he came into contact with and we as a club were excited by what was to come.”

On behalf of Jude’s parents Mark and Carla, Mr Turner has set up a Go Fund Me Page to raise money for a funeral. Jude’s body will be interred at Kingswood Memorial Park, and his wake will be at Cleeve Rugby Club - where he had his first fight.

So far, more than £6,000 has been raised for the fundraiser. “That’s just a sign of how popular he was,” said Mr Turner. “The kid was a gem and deserves a champion send-off from us all.”

Mr Turner said the club was also organising a Jude Moore Memorial Tournament on Sunday, April 2. More details will be shared closer to the event.