Family announce death of legendary Mayo-born coach

The death has taken place of a Mayo man who made his name as coach to an array of boxers who would compete for world and Olympic titles.

Pat Benson, a native of Ballyhaunis, was a legendary figure in boxing circles in Birmingham and throughout the UK. He passed away on Friday, May 1, aged 91, his family have announced.

Born in Ballyhuanis in 1934, his original introduction to boxing was through Gaelic football, growing up during very difficult economic times in Ireland. He would cycle twelve miles to the closest gym in Castlerea to stay fit for Gaelic football training. Pat then spent seven years as a motor mechanic in the Irish army, originally moving to Coventry prior to relocating to Birmingham to compete for the Ladywood boxing gym.

He progressed into coaching and saved the Small Heath club from extinction after its previous head coach Steve Hayden passed away. Pat spent over 50 years running Small Heath ABC, helping thousands of young people, many from the city’s mostly impoverished areas, providing a safe-haven in inner-city Birmingham. Benson was honoured with the BBC’s West Midlands Unsung Hero award in 2010 – testimony not just for coaching excellence, but an everlasting community impact.

Running a community boxing club completely voluntarily for 50 years on a shoestring budget never deterred Pat from developing his work in the city. Inevitably, there were tough times. Losing the famous Fazeley street gym to an overnight fire, was gut-wrenching and he worked tirelessly to reestablish the club, opening the Adderley Street premises in 2006. This coincided with losing his wife, suddenly. His courage and determination shone through to avoid the club folding.

A highly accomplished coach, Benson won every domestic boxing title, including three full senior boxing champions, with Paul and Mark Ramsey, as well as three-time world title challenger, Matthew Macklin. Olympic representation arrived in the form of Rowan Williams at Barcelona 1992, in addition to coaching Shaun Cogan to the Irish title and his eldest grandson Paddy Benson to a British Universities championship.

The champions were great and there were many. However, it was helping the community that really made a difference, many emigrating to Birmingham trying to forge a better life. The club was and has been a unique environment, where everyone is welcome, a community in its own right, teaching young people about respect, self-discipline, resilience and determination: ‘A champ’s camp with community at its heart.’ 

 Pat’s incredible work built the foundations to a lasting legacy through the form of a brand new boxing facility, Pat Benson Boxing Academy at the Irish Centre, Birmingham, run by his grandson, Paddy Benson.

“My grandfather was an incredible influence on myself and thousands of others. A man who held our family together and was always there for us. He taught me everything I know about boxing and we now have an outstanding facility that has his name above the door, that will be used by thousands of people in the years to come,” said Paddy Benson.

“He taught values by demonstrating them, not just talking about them. Resilience, respect, hard work and courage. A man of genuine integrity. My grandfather will never be forgotten.”