Mr. Gerry Hassett

DOWNPATRICK has lost a boxing legend.

Former Ulster and Irish boys’ amateur champion, Gerry Hassett, passed away following a long illness on the morning of September 15, surrounded by his loving family and friends. He was 81.

Gerry’s early years were spent on the Springfield Road in Belfast where he was the youngest of four children to Joe and Catherine Hassett.

As a teenager, he discovered a love for boxing and was invited to St. Matthew’s Boxing Club in Belfast where he trained under Jimmy Brady.

At just 17, Gerry turned professional and, with his father Joe in his corner, he took part in both licensed and unlicensed boxing matches against some of Northern Ireland’s toughest fighters.

In his second year of boxing, he won both Ulster and Irish titles and continued this form as he progressed through the weights.

He quickly gained the respect of his peers for being a fierce and fearless opponent.

In 1953, Gerry spent six months in London where he had the opportunity to spar with top-ranked fighters including Tommy McGovern, who was preparing for a British title fight at the time.

He also undertook private security work leading to stories of stand-offs with both the infamous Kray brothers and the Richardson gang, who reputedly offered Gerry a job after seeing the way in which he could handle a dispute.

To earn extra money, he also took on ‘all comers’ in the notorious fairground boxing booths for £15 a night, work that Gerry later described as “easy money.”

Following his return home, Gerry continued to box, while also expanding his new security business, and by the 1960s he had become the face of security in the city.

In 1967, at the age of 35, Gerry travelled to South Africa to challenge Jan Pieterse, a highly rated South African prospect. He won the fight against the odds although Pieterse went on to win the rematch by a controversial split decision.

He continued boxing professionally until 1969 having fought 69 times. His final fight, at the age of 37, resulted in a loss against Terry Mictigue while attempting to win the Northern Ireland area light-heavyweight title for the second time

In 1972, following his retirement from his beloved sport, Gerry managed security arrangements for Muhammad Ali when he came to Ireland to fight Al Lewis.

He also promoted major boxing shows and managed his own stable of fighters including a young Charlie Nash and Ray Ross.

He finally retired from security work in 2008, just a year after a profile of him was published in Barry Flynn’s book of Irish Boxing Legends, which opened; “Gerry Hassett is as hard as nails.”

In retirement, Gerry visited Oscar de la Hoya’s Training Camp in California. During his lifetime he was delighted to meet some of the biggest stars of boxing including Rocky Marciano, Tommy Hearns, Marvin Haglar and his favourite boxer of all time Joe Louis, after whom Gerry was nicknamed.

He also enjoyed being president of the Northern Ireland Ex-Boxers’ Association.

Gerry was one of a kind. He was a devoted husband and father and a true gentleman.

He is survived buy his loving wife Verna, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His memorial service took place at Down Cathedral, where he loved Sunday services, on September 19. The service was led by Dean Henry Hull and Canon Sean Rogan.