Wellington club gets £450 in memory of boxer
A boxing club has received £450 donated in memory of a man who fought alongside former world champion Richie Woodhall.
Richie, who is president of Wellington Boxing Academy, joined club chairman Mo Fiaz to collect the cheque in memory of Joe Pugh from Dawley Bank.
Joe, who suffered severe epilepsy since a road accident in 1996, died in July at the age of 43.
As a youngsters he had been a member of the former Wrekin Boxing Club alongside Richie and Mo, when Richie's father Len was one of the coaches.
Joe's mother Pam said £900 was collected at her son's funeral, and it was decided to split the money between Wellington Boxing Academy and Hope House Children's Hospice.
"Joe's epilepsy after the accident stopped him from boxing, but it was always his passion," she said.
"He would have been very proud to have seen the money given to the club."
She added that she was very impressed by the work that was being done at the club in Dawley Road, Arleston.
Richie said he remembered Joe as a very talented boxer.
"He was probably nine or 10 when I was a teenager, he was one of the youngest members of the club, and he was a great little lad," he said.
"I was very shocked when I heard about his death, because we all used to be like one big family."
Mo, who was also a teenager when Joe joined the club, said he too had fond memories of the young fighter.
"He was a very good lad, a nice person," he said.
Mo said the money would be used to purchase equipment and towards the general running costs of the club.
