Boxing champion Brian Rose's touching tribute at funeral of coach and mentor Andy Sumner

READ MORE: Fylde coast boxing in grief for champion coach.

The 35-year-old Rose, former British light middleweight title holder, read out a touching, well-crafted poem he wrote himself in honour of his boxing and life mentor.

It was heard with appreciation by those in attendance, including family, friends, admirers and sportsmen.

Rose paid tribute to the advice and good counsel given to him by a man he had first met in a boxing gym at the age of nine.

Rose said it was ironic that a Preston North End season ticket holder of long standing should have been involved so prominently in the resurgence of boxing in Blackpool.

Among the congregation was another boxer helped by Sumner, namely Jack Arnfield, whose plans to make a comeback to the ring were put on hold recently after he suffered a burst appendix.

Curtis Dean, the professional at Blackpool North Shore Golf Club, attended. He had been trained by Andy Sumner when he was an aspiring young boxer.

Preston’s Rod Allen, the 1995 Amateur Boxing Association super heavyweight champion, was another in attendance to show his respects.

Sumner, who lived in Longton, died aged 78 after contracting Covid-19.

Music chosen for the service included ‘Eye Of The Tiger’ from the Rocky film franchise and ‘No Regrets’ by Edith Piaf, sung in French, one of several languages spoken by the unassuming man who had been head of languages at Penwortham Girls High School and was described as inspirational by his family.