Boxer Chad Gaynor dies at 32 – tributes paid

The 32-year-old former fighter, believed to be living in Thrybergh, has died at the age of 32.

The Rotherham welterweight was on his way to the top, with a record of 15 wins in 17 fights, including eight victories within three rounds

Then weeks after he was stopped when fighting Ahmet Patterson for the English title in September 2014, the driver of a car he was in lost control and crashed into a ditch, leaving Gaynor with a broken neck.

Described by previous manager Dave Coldwell as “one of the hottest prospects in the UK”, Gaynor had just signed with a management company in LA.

Jamie Kennedy, owner of Rotherham’s Millennium Boxing gym where Gaynor trained, said: “This is a very hard post and one you never dream of writing. And one I could probably re write every ten minutes as things come to mind. The sad passing of one of the boys

“This young man was a pleasure to train and have in the gym.

“He’s a part of Millennium Boxing history .

“And when the time is right I will tell you his story.

“I wouldn’t be the coach I am today without our journey .

“His name gets mentioned still when I travel anywhere in the boxing world.

“What a ride it was, he made me proud so many times.

“The people who trained him and along side him and managed him have been calling me all day talking about all the fun times we had amateur and professional .

“The things I teach the boxers and coaches now are things we learned travelling together.

“Boxers and trainers make bonds you will never understand.

“Chad Gaynor will always be in my heart

“Thank you my friend RIP.”

After the accident Gaynor led a somewhat troubled existence. He was stabbed in an attack in Maltby and appeared in court on a number of occasions before attempting to make a comeback as a bare-knuckle boxer.

No cause of death has yet been given.