{"id":86595,"date":"2023-10-13T14:22:52","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T14:22:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebritytidings.com\/?p=86595"},"modified":"2023-10-13T14:22:52","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T14:22:52","slug":"hugh-russell-dead-at-63-double-british-boxing-champion-and-olympic-medallist-dies-following-illness-as-tributes-pour-in-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebritytidings.com\/sport\/hugh-russell-dead-at-63-double-british-boxing-champion-and-olympic-medallist-dies-following-illness-as-tributes-pour-in-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Hugh Russell dead at 63: Double British boxing champion and Olympic medallist dies following illness as tributes pour in | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"
FORMER British boxing champion Hugh Russell has passed away aged 63.<\/strong><\/p>\n Russell won bronze in the 1980 Olympic Games while representing the Republic of Ireland.<\/p>\n The Northern Irishman then went on to become a double British champion in the flyweight and bantamweight division.<\/p>\n His bronze medal in Moscow was Ireland's first Olympic medal since the 1964 games.<\/p>\n Known as "Little Red", the former fighter finished his pro career in 1985.<\/p>\n He later became a photographer, working for Irish News, whose sports editor Paul McConville has paid tribute to the 17-2 boxer following his death after an illness.<\/p>\n McConville said: "Absolutely devastated by the loss of colleague Hugh Russell.<\/p>\n "Champion boxer and top class photographer but a friend and colleague who was always on hand to lend some sage advice or lighten the mood with a wise crack and that cheeky grin. RIP Champ."<\/p>\n Many in the boxing world have honoured McConville with kind words following his passing, including another Northern Irish boxing great Carl Frampton.<\/p>\n He wrote: "I've just heard the sad news that Hugh Russell passed away. As a BBBoC member and an ex-boxer, he always had the fighters\u2019 best interest at heart. <\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "One of the nicest men you could meet. RIP Hughie."<\/p>\n Promoter Frank Warren said: "My thoughts and everyone at Queensberry are with the family and friends of Hugh Russell.<\/p>\n "A former Olympic medalist and British champion Hugh will be a greatly missed figure in our sport, and above all else was a thoroughly nice man and a great ambassador for boxing in Northern Ireland."<\/p>\n Fellow Irish News photographer Mal McCann paid tribute saying: "Absolutely devastated that my friend, colleague and champion Hugh Russell has passed away today. Things won't be the same without you. Rest in peace Champ."<\/p>\n Another colleague Kevin Scott tweeted: "Devastated at the passing of the legend, Hugh Russell. I have never met a kinder person than Hugh. Always a smile, a laugh and a punchy opening line when you met.<\/p>\n "My thoughts today are with his family and Irish News colleagues, who I know cherished him so dearly. RIP Hugh."<\/p>\n
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