Tributes are flooding in for Paddy Benson, one of the true godfathers of Birmingham boxing, who has died at the age of 91. The legendary trainer, whose Small Heath gym produced some of the city's greatest fighters, passed away at Heartlands Hospital on Thursday.
Described as Rocky Balboa's Mickey with a Brummie Irish accent, Benson was a towering figure in the sport. Former Irish ABA champion and professional boxer Shaun Cogan was among the first to pay tribute. "If not for him, hundreds of kids would've ended up in jail, me included," said an emotional Cogan. "He made Small Heath one of the best clubs in the country. Everyone in that gym still speaks about Paddy, no one had a bad word to say about him."
A legacy of champions
Benson's gym spawned a remarkable roster of champions, including Matt Macklin, the Ramsay brothers, Wayne Elcock, Rowan Williams, and Frankie Gavin. Shakan Pitters, British light-heavyweight champion, and former tough contender Willie Wright also came through his ranks.
Macklin became British and European middleweight champion and fought for the world title three times. Elcock claimed the British middleweight title. Paul and Mark Ramsay are regarded as amateur boxing royalty, both winning senior ABA lightweight titles and representing England on numerous occasions. Gavin is considered one of the country's best ever amateurs after becoming Britain's first world championships gold medallist, while flyweight Williams competed in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Community impact
Beyond the ring, Benson was a community man who changed thousands of lives. Grandson Paddy Jnr, who continues the family boxing legacy, posted on Facebook: "My grandfather, Pat Benson, passed away this morning. Without him, our club would not exist. He created the legacy that we are now a part of. An incredible man, a community man and a great coach. A genuine boxing man. He changed the lives of thousands of people."
Fight figures across Birmingham have flooded social media with tributes. Former English champion Sean Davis called Benson "one of the godfathers of Birmingham boxing." Mark Griffiths recalled Benson's toughness: "My fondest memory of Pat was at a venue in Brum a number of years back and he was having a heated debate with a well-known boxing guy on the door. He just came out with a statement saying, 'I'll take you outside now and sort this'. I just smiled to myself and thought, wow for a small man he's got big balls."
Paddy Benson was old school, and his methods worked. While many of today's high-profile trainers inherit champions, he created them. His legacy will endure in the countless lives he touched and the champions he forged.
