- Dave Stacey was one of the first people to train a young Tyson Fury how to box
- He taught the Gypsy King the basics such as how to throw a punch and stances
Tyson Fury’s first trainer has passed away at the age of 85, his daughter has announced.
Dave Stacey is credited as one of the key figures in turning The Gypsy King into a future heavyweight world champion from a young age after Fury stayed with his family near Torbay, Devon.
It was at the Torbay Amateur Boxing Club that Stacey is thought to have trained Fury in the basics of the sport he would go on to dominate for some time.
Recalling the moment he first met the future two-time world heavyweight champion, Stacey was quick to remark on the size of Fury.
‘This young boy turned up on his own one night and asked to train with us,’ Stacey said. ‘He was a big lad, I’d say nearly 6ft tall then. We didn’t turn away boys who wanted to train.
Tyson Fury’s first boxing trainer, Dave Stacey, has passed away at the age of 85 having trained the Gypsy King at the Torbay Amateur Boxing Club
Fury has gone on to become a two-time heavyweight world champion (pictured ahead of a re-match with Oleksandr Usyk)
‘Although he never boxed for us, he kept coming to train and spar for about six months, and then his family must have moved on.
‘I didn’t remember much about him, because I treat everyone the same and there were lots of other boys to look after.’
Fury was reunited with Stacey later at an event in Blackpool, where he presented an award, and took the time to share a few words with his former mentor.
‘He presented our boy with a prize, realised where he was from and said “I trained at your club when I was a kid”,’ added Stacey.
‘Our lad told him “And the guy who trained you is stood over there”, and then Tyson came over, shook my hand and thanked me.
‘It was nice of him to come over and speak to me because there were lots of other people wanting to talk to him.’
Stacey had played a role in the formation of other fighters who would go on to have fruitful careers in the sport, such as former WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison.
Following the announcement of Stacey’s tragic passing, his daughter Nicole led the tributes for the former boxing trainer.
Fury was later reunited with his former mentor at an event in Blackpool when he handed out an award
Torbay ABC also paid tribute to their former coach describing Stacey as ‘a true legend’
‘First and foremost, he was a real family man and was always very proud to tell other people that he felt like the luckiest man in the world to be a husband and father and we really felt that love.
‘He was a very loyal person and would do absolutely anything for us. People would always describe him as a real character and he was unashamedly himself. He had the ability to talk to anyone and put them at ease.
‘If there was a setback of any kind he wouldn’t dwell on it, he would tell people how he felt, pick himself up and take the challenge on. I suppose that’s the boxing mentality and focus.’
Torbay Amateur Boxing Club added: ‘Torbay ABC are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Dave Stacey, a highly regarded coach for the club.
‘RIP Dave you were a true legend.’
