Hugh Russell: Tributes paid to Belfast-born Olympic boxer and ‘absolute gentleman’

Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O’Neill has led tributes to Belfast-born Olympic medallist boxer Hugh Russell.

The 63-year-old died in the early hours of Friday following an illness.

Russell made his name in the boxing ring as a young man, winning bronze medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in Edmonton and the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, both in the flyweight division.

As a professional he claimed British and Irish bantamweight and flyweight titles.

My thoughts and everyone at Queensberry are with the family and friends of Hugh Russell.

A former Olympic medalist and British champion Hugh will be a greatly missed figure in our sport, and above all else was a thoroughly nice man and a great ambassador for boxing in Northern… pic.twitter.com/SOV2POlDIN

— Frank Warren (@FrankWarren) October 13, 2023

Affectionately known as “Little Red”, Russell went on to forge an award-winning career as a press photographer at the Irish News.

Among his best-known photographs was one of Gerry Conlon of the Guildford Four celebrating with supporters after walking free from prison in 1989 following the quashing of his wrongful conviction as an IRA bomber.

Russell was at the forefront of news reporting, capturing images across decades of the Troubles, peace process and politics in Northern Ireland.

Boxing promoter Frank Warren said Russell was a “great ambassador” for the sport.

“My thoughts and everyone at Queensberry are with the family and friends of Hugh Russell,” he posted on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

“A former Olympic medallist and British champion Hugh will be a greatly missed figure in our sport, and above all else was a thoroughly nice man and a great ambassador for boxing in Northern Ireland.”

Very sad news