Hull legend Mick Toomey dies by Ian McNeilly Sep 5th 2008

Mick Toomey, a local boxing legend in his home city of Hull, has died at the age of 72. One of the sport's longest-serving promoters, Mick died on Tuesday after a long battle with ill health. Paramedics were called to Mr Toomey's home in east Hull when he collapsed after returning home from a routine hospital check-up. He passed away at Hull Royal Infirmary with his family by his side. From the Hull Daily Mail: "Mr Toomey, a father of four and grandfather of three, organised more than 40 charity nights and raised £63,000 through the Hull and District Sporting Club and Toomey Promotions for a number of good causes. "The British Boxing Board of Control general secretary Simon Block knew Mr Toomey for almost 30 years. 'He was certainly, as far as Hull was concerned, Mr Boxing. He was the Don King of Hull. One of his many achievements was to bring the annual general meeting of the board to Hull in 1993. I am greatly saddened.' "Mr Toomey stopped attending charity events in 2005, stepping down from his role with the Hull and District Sporting Club, but continued to help with the organisation of other events from his home, which he shared with his wife Norma, 67. "Today, his son Kevin said: 'Boxing was his life. Some think people are in professional boxing for the money. My dad wasn't a millionaire and was never going to be. He did it for the love of boxing.'" Mick's funeral is at 1.30pm on Thursday at St Charles Church, followed by a reception at 2.45pm at the Station Hotel. All are welcome to celebrate the life of one of British boxing's leading men.

Go back Comment on this article | Send to a friend | Print

What nice man what a great loss Sep 6th 2008, 08:17:18 by ukibo Mick ,was a true gent a big help, will miss him , one of boxing's true gentlemen, RIP   Thanks and God bless Mick Sep 5th 2008, 14:17:10 by emperor stitt Without Mick Toomey, would Hull have had any real involvement with professional boxing over the last few years? Mick and his family have done a great deal for the city and, on the one occasion when I dealt with Mick, he was a complete gentleman and couldn't do enough to help me. Thanks Mick and God bless you. Condolences to Mick's family on losing such a big character.