Tributes paid to tragic amateur boxer Thomas Waites

The 21-year-old who had represented Ireland at the World Youth Championships and had won Antrim and Ulster titles passed away on Sunday.

The Magherafelt man had boxed for Toome Boxing Club before moving to Holy Trinity Boxing Club in West Belfast.

Head coach at Belfast Holy Trinity club, Michael Hawkins snr said that the club had been left devastated by the news.

“Thomas joined us about three years ago and he was a very talented boxer. He was just a really pleasant lad who came from a lovely family. He was so happy and just a really good lad,” said Mr Hawkins.

“It was quite a journey for them to come up and down from Magherafelt but that’s how eager they were to improve and to succeed.

“Many of the guys who were around his age have really taken it bad. They were all good friends, as they travelled to competitions together, and they saw a lot of each other. It’s very sad.”

On Twitter Co Tyrone middleweight Conrad Cummings paid tribute to Mr Waites.

“Sad to hear of another young death, an old mate club @HTBC_Belfast Thomas Waites. Deepest condolences to his family, gone far too young!#RIP”

A PSNI spokesman said: “Police attended the sudden death of a man, aged in his 20s, in the Magherafelt area on the afternoon of Sunday 29 May.

“At this time the death is not being treated as suspicious.”