Funeral for 'immense' 19-year-old boxer Jude Moore to be hosted at Bristol Cathedral
The 19-year-old boxer from Bristol died earlier this month - and a fundraiser has now been launched in his memory
Last updated 28th Mar 2023
In the space of less than a week, thousands of pounds have been raised in memory of Jude Moore.
The 19-year-old boxer from Bristol passed away earlier this month - Friday, March 17 - and since then, tributes from not just across UK boxing, but sport internationally, have been pouring in to honour his passing.
Now, we can reveal, the funeral of Bristol's 'third boxing champion in the making' will be held at Bristol Cathedral, a place his former coach has said is 'usually reserved for the great and the good' and a place fitting for such a person.
Craig Turner, who used to coach Jude at Downend in Bristol, said: "We decided very early on that we wanted to give him a champion's funeral. There is no two ways about it, he would have gone on to be a world champion for Bristol.
"We were all very confident - including the former WBC Super Middleweight World Champion, Glenn Catley, who said that Jude had more ability in his little finger than Glenn ever had - that's quite something, coming from such a special person as him."
Jude was a two-time National Champion (Schools 2017 and Juniors 2019); represented the Three Lions at the EUBC Junior European Championships in Romania in 2017; was a GB Three Nations champion; and won the title of the Western Counties champion on no less than five occasions.
By just the age of 19, he'd already been called by many people as the next big star of Bristol boxing.
He trained and came up the ranks of the sport at Downend Boxing in Fishpond, and recently moved to a new club near London to build on his already glowing boxing career.
During the pandemic, he shared tips for others to follow to learn the sport and keep fit, and was regarded by many as a natural-born star.
Craig Turner reflected: "My standout moment, without doubt, was when he was called at the last minute to box for England against the United Stated team - and Jude just said, 'Let's have it!'
"And have it we did - he walked out in to the arena, Sweet Caroline blaring, and he beat the kid. The best performance I'd seen to his career at that point.
"He was determined to be himself at all times. The force of nature that was Jude was a showman, a brilliant conversationalist, and just a great kid.
"I remember going to one of his school plays, and he just gave an Olivier-style performance. The world really was a stage!"
On Sunday (April 2nd), there'll be an amateur tournament at his old school to raise funds - and celebrate his life and career.
Organisers of the tournament have since had to change to a bigger venue than was originally planned, because of people wanting to come down and pay tribute to the up-and-coming star of boxing who was a real role-model to those wanting to break into the sport.
Craig Turner said: "There's a new emerging class of young athlete coming forward that recognise the important of that duty of being a role model - and Jude was leading the way in that.
"He was immense."
In a statement on its Facebook page, Hoddesdon, where Sab Leo is Head coach, said: “It is with a heavy heart that we as a club are deeply saddened with the sudden passing of our amateur boxer Jude Moore.
“(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. Love to you Jude and family.”
Soon after the announcement of Jude's passing, a GoFundMe page was set up by Craig Turner in his memory to help Jude's family with funeral costs.
The page has already raised thousands of pounds.
More information about the arrangements for his funeral will be made in due course.
If you want to find out more about Jude's boxing career, click here.
You can also make a donation to help Jude's family with funeral costs on their GoFundMe Page.