Jim Moran 928867
Name: Jim Moran
Birth Name: James John Moran
Hometown: Redditch, Worcestershire, United Kingdom
Birthplace: United Kingdom
Died: 2021-01-18 (Age:57)
Amateur Boxer: Record
Obituary
19th January 2021 by Peter John
Shock and sadness at death of Redditch boxing star Jimmy Moran
TRIBUTES have been pouring in today after the shock death of one of Redditch’s great sporting heroes, Jimmy Moran.
The 57-year-old former boxer died suddenly at his Enfield home in the early hours of Monday morning.
News of his death spread quickly around the town and sparked hundreds of tributes for a man who was much admired and much loved.
Jimmy’s main claim to fame was winning the Gold Medal in the Light-Heavyweight division in the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh.
He had already won the British title earlier that year. In 1987 he repeated his victory, but this time in the heavyweight division.
He was also named Midlands BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Despite a huge talent and many offers to turn professional, Mr Moran gave it all up for family life and retired from boxing to follow in his father’s footsteps as a bricklayer working on construction sites around the town and surrounding area.
And despite many people telling him what he could have achieved, he remained very happy with his decision to concentrate on his life in Redditch and his children, Jack, Sam and Ellie. “He had achieved what he wanted to,’” said Sam.
He became a keen angler and golfer, but he did make one very famous comeback, training up to fight American World Heavyweight Champion Tim Witherspoon in a charity bout at Redditch United Football Club in 2012 when he was approaching his 50th birthday.
James John Moran was born on February 27 1963 and it was soon clear he was a natural athlete. Brought up first in Rectory Road and then Southcrest, he took after his father, John James Moran, and still holds the Redditch and Bromsgrove Athletic Club’s 3,000 meters under 15s running record.
But his dad also encouraged him to box and, despite his initial preference for running it was clear Jimmy had a natural talent.
At 14 he was taking on and beating boys two years older in his early fights.
He was a member of the Austin Boxing Club, run out of Longbridge Social Club, and steadily improved until winning the British ABA title in 1986.
The picture of his Gold Medal victory hung proudly in his mother Maureen’s lounge. Sadly she passed away just a month ago.
Jimmy’s children said the family, including their Aunt Kim and Uncle Adam, had been overwhelmed by all the tributes.
“It’s astonishing. The news spread within hours and messages have been pouring in. There have been hundreds.
"We know that although we have lost a father, a brother and an uncle, many have lost a friend who will no doubt be experiencing this tragic loss with us.”