Tributes pour in for Vinny Mitchell after news of his tragic death broke
The boxing world is in mourning following the tragic news that former pro boxer and younger brother of British champion Kevin Mitchell has died in a road traffic accident in Dagenham on April 1.
Vinny Mitchell was just 31-years-old and a father to a young family. His untimely death comes just one month before his 32nd birthday.
Police reports say they closed a busy road in Dagenham following an accident involving a motorcyclist on New Road at around 6pm in the evening on Monday, April 1.
Witnesses report seeing a large amount of emergency services at the scene and an air ambulance taking off nearby at around 7pm.
Older brother Kevin, a world title contender, led the tributes with: “There’s not many things I can say to say how heart broken I am. I love you Vinny Mitchell I promise I’ll make sure your kids will know who there dad was. It kills me. See you again some day brother.”
Former teammate Danny ‘Cassius’ Connor said, “Absolutely gutted to hear your gone Vinnie mate, you were the first person to talk to me at the TKO and we would always have a laugh about how we were always the fat ones, see you on the other side my mate, the better side, may god greet you with open arms, my love going out to you Alice, Kev and the Mitchell’s, god bless you Vin mate.”
Former British super-bantamweight champion Matt Marsh, who trained with Kevin and Vinny at West Ham ABC, posted on Facebook, “RIP Vinny Mitchell, absolutely devastated. I remember me and Vinny sitting on the bike trying to lose weight moaning about everyone else who's already made weight, we was the two who always found it hard to get to make fight weight. RIP Vinny, Micky May will look after you now, like the old days. Still in shock.”
Vinny’s professional boxing record ended at 12-1, active between 2007-2010, and the only person to inflict a loss, John Baguley, also paid tribute, “Had 2 great fights with Vinny Mitchell such sad news Iv just heard all my thoughts are with your family mate. R.I.P.”
Vinny always had a love for bikes and once missed two years boxing when an accident with a scrambling bike – doing wheelies in the street – left him with a serious leg injury. Vinny won 12 from 13 fights as a pro after a stellar amateur career with West Ham ABC, where he won the ABAs. His sole career defeat was a rematch with John Baguley at Wembley Arena in February 2010. He recorded two knockouts in his 12 wins and won his last fight as a pro on points against Daniel Thorpe at Upton Park in 2015 on the undercard of brother Kevin's world title fight against Michael Katsidis.
British Boxing News would also like to extend their heartfelt condolences to Vinny’s family at this difficult time.