Walsall lake tragedy: Pleck boxing club pays tribute to Spencer Hurst
Spencer Hurst's boxing club says it is 'in bits' after the tragic loss of the teenager.
Pleck boxing club, where Spencer boxed for for many years, also paid tribute to the 'really nice' and 'outgoing' 15-year-old.
Spencer boxed 30 times for the club and was undefeated so far this year. He was in the club's gym as recently as Monday night and was described as a 'role model' to some of the younger children.
Footage of him boxing was placed on social media as members paid tributes to him.
Club coach Shiney Singh said: "He was an old school fighter, he would take a bout at no notice and was not interested in who he was boxing or where he was boxing. We could just call him up and he would be there.
"He was only in the gym on Monday night as his usual self. He had started helping some of the other kids in the gym, he was a bit of a role model to them.
"The support from other clubs has been great as he would have been known by everyone in the Midlands boxing arena. He had had 30 bouts so he was not someone who had just come into it.
"He was an outgoing guy who did not really have a care in the world. He was was just a real nice kid.
"We were in bits yesterday to be honest. Loads of clubs have called up to check everyone is ok.
"As a coach it is like an extended family with the kids you train so it is hard to take and will be hard to take going forward."
One of the many tributes left at the scene of Spencer's death yesterday was by Walsall Wood Amateur Boxing. The club left three boxing gloves and flowers near the lake, including the message: "RIP Spencer from all at Walsall Wood ABC."
Mr Singh, one of three coaches at the club, added: "Shaun Healey, who runs the Walsall Wood club, was the first person to call me about what happened. He found out quite early because one of Spencer's friends was there at the time who boxed at Walsall Wood. Spencer has boxed a few lads from Walsall Wood and we have a strong relationship with them. The support we have got off them has been great."
The club says it wants to pay further tribute to Spencer but has not finalised its plans yet.
Mr Singh said: "We will speak to the family and see how we can best pay tribute to Spencer.
"We have had a discussion and we will definitely speak more about it. We would like to do something to commemorative for him but we are not sure yet at the moment."
