Boxing World Comes Together To Say Goodbye To Ron Lewis

Members of the boxing world united to mourn the loss of one of their own as they said goodbye to BoxingScene’s UK correspondent, the late Ron Lewis.

Lewis, one of the most respected boxing scribes with decades of experience, unexpectedly passed away last month at the age of 54.

A memorial service of thanksgiving was held yesterday (Friday, March 17) at Saint Martin’s Church in London and the UK boxing press pack was out in force, with media members from The Sun, The Daily Star, The Independent, the BBC, Sky Sports, BoxingScene and many other outlets represented by Ron’s friends and colleagues.

Ron’s widow, Ellie, gave a phenomenal eulogy, talking about their more than 20-year love story and told how she now wanted to live out the dreams she shared with Ron with their two children, Stan and Polly.

Ron’s older brother, Tom, delivered a humorous and moving eulogy and recounted spending more than four decades watching Queens Park Rangers play football with his sibling week in, week out. It was at Loftus Road, home of QPR, where he saw Ron for the final time. “See you next week,” said Tom. 

He never saw Ron again. “I guess you just never know,” Tom said sadly.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues in press row, Boxing News editor Matt Christie delivered an equally poignant speech about how admired Ron was not just by his friends and acquaintances in the media but by the boxing world as a whole.

There were tears and laughter, stories and anecdotes were shared and Ron’s family did him proud, and the men and women in boxing tried to do the same.

It’s what Ron deserved, though would not have expected. The unassuming Ron Lewis could be chirpy, he could be dry but he was always right and he will be missed. One of the giants of British boxing journalism has gone.