Lee Siner dead at just 36
Decorated amateur Lee Siner turned pro in June 2020, but never got to make his pro bow. The sad news broke over the same weekend of Josh Taylor's undisputed victory in Vegas that the Liverpool boxer had passed away after a heart attack, reports say. He had been placed in an induced coma on a life support machine at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital before his untimely death on Sunday morning.
Maree Boxing made an official announcement on Sunday, May 23: "It is with extreme sadness to say we were informed that one of our boxers, Lee Siner, sadly passed away this morning. Our thoughts at Maree Boxing go out to all Lee's family at this very sad time. We are also thinking of Terry Spencer and all his training team at the gym. There's a special bond between boxer and coach and this will be a tough onef for them. God bless, Lee, rest easy champ."
The heavyweight had a promising amateur career, winning 31 of 37 contests which included winning five national titles for Liverpool's famed Salisbury ABC, as well as a Junior Olympic Silver medal for England, and competing in international bouts all over the globe. He also won three NABC titles and a Junior ABA title for 'The Solly'.
The Liverpool boxer, trained by Cheshire based Terry Spencer, had turned his life around after many troubles and was looking to make a big splash in the professional ranks.
Siner wanted to set an example for other youngsters who may have lost their way, "I've been sober for two years and have left my past behind me and I feel fantastic for doing it," he said in an interview last year. "I've got a lovely new partner and we've settled down. I'm really happy and settled in life now and that is what drove me to come back to boxing and have my own personal redemption by being a success not just for myself, but being successful for the kids in the community who may have gone down the wrong path. I want to be living proof that you can turn your life around if you work hard."
The amateur boxing prodigy was once caught up in criminal activities that saw him shockingly gunned down in front of his young family in 2015, due to an ongoing dispute with a notorious Liverpool gangster. Astonishingly, Siner survived the assassination attempt from a lone gunman who blasted him in the back three times with a shotgun in front of his partner and 18-month-old baby.
He was using his life experiences to try to help others stay on the right path, "I've been mentoring and working with some of the amateur boxers at TS ABC as I really am passionate about helping the boys and girls in the gym progress in the right direction in life. We live in a society where kids can go down the wrong route easily, and I'm personally making an effort to make sure that it doesn't happen to any of the young boxers I see in the gym these days.
"I want to be a good example to young people all over that you can reform your character and you can change for the better. I used to be about the nights out, now I only go out to go to the gym and walk the dog. That's how my life has changed and I feel so much better for it.
"I'm constantly getting involved with mentoring people and local charities as I want to use my experiences outside of the ring to help those in similar need. I have a great opportunity at redemption and I have to thank Kevin Maree and Terry Spencer for giving me this opportunity. It's up to me now to succeed and I'm confident that I will."
Siner had agreed terms with boxing manager Kevin Maree.
Close friend Chris Glover commented on the sad news, "Gutted, sleep well Lee Siner. One of the realest out there. God bless."
BBN would like to offer their deepest condolences to Lee's family and friends during this very difficult time.
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