Former Universal Boxing Organization (UBO) world champion Bresson Brel, nicknamed "The Beast," passed away at the age of 46 after collapsing during a training session with one of his students.
The boxing coach, originally from the Republic of the Congo, was rushed to the hospital last Friday (Jul 4) and passed away on Sunday (Jul 6).
"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved coach, mentor, and friend, Bresson "The Beast" Brel," boxing studio Southpaw Hong Kong wrote in a social media post yesterday. "He achieved great heights, including qualifying for the Olympic games and winning a World Championship, bringing pride and recognition to his country."
"Beyond the ring, Bresson was a friend to many, known for his generous spirit, infectious laughter, and an unwavering commitment to those he cared about," the boxing studio located on Wellington Street in Central added.
Brel was born into a family with a strong boxing legacy and also an eight-time amateur boxing champion. He served as the captain of the national team and won the Central African boxing championship.
In 2004, he successfully qualified for the Athens Olympics; however, he was unable to participate due to the civil unrest in his country. He moved to Hong Kong in 2009 and won the UBO World Boxing Championship in 2012.
It is understood that Brel was a good friend of Hong Kong boxer Rex Tso Sing-yu.
