“It’s a memory I will cherish forever,” Kevin Lueshing shared a photo taken with his former coach.

FORMER British trainer and boxer Colin Smith passed away on May 20. Kevin Lueshing, who fought the likes of Felix Trinidad and Harry Simon for eight exciting years, wrote the following on the Facebook page of the Champs Boxing Club of Spain. :

“I am writing the following with a very heavy heart: I have just been told that my former coach and boxing legend Colin Smith – who represented heavyweight world champion Duke McKenzie – died tragically on May 20. This is a picture of us together. [see below] in my boxing days and it is a memory I will cherish forever.

Colin’s daughter, Tracy Collins Smith, would like to extend an open invitation to anyone from the boxing community who knew her father to attend a vigil at the Queen’s Head in Chislehurst, Kent, from 1pm on June 26.

Just let her know by sending an email to: tracysmith846@gmail.com

Colin was one of the few people in my life who really made a difference and set me on the right path.

A champion to the end, I know she would love any donations to be sent to Dementia UK as they fight their own battle against this terrible curse. Alternatively, well-wishers will be able to leave donations in advance.

RIP Colin Smith – 04/10/1941 to 20/05/2024”

Smith was in Kevin Lueshing’s corner as ‘The Look’ bounced back from a previous defeat to Chris Saunders, defeating the Barnsley man in a thrilling British welterweight title fight.

“Colin gave me complete care, and that’s exactly what I needed,” Lueshing would later explain about the difference in preparation between fights.

Alongside manager Mickey Duff, trainer Colin Smith was instrumental in helping Duke McKenzie become a three-weight world champion and an MBE. Duke is best known for following his brothers, Winston, Dudley, and Clinton, into boxing, and it was Smith, whom Duke described as “a really nice guy”, who would coach him throughout his successful career.

Everyone Debate News would like to express their deepest sympathy to Colin’s family and friends.