Promoter Frank Warren today told of his shock after friend Dean Powell, one of the most respected figures in British boxing, threw himself under a train.
Mr Powell, a matchmaker, trainer and manager who had worked with Lennox Lewis, Joe Calzaghe and Amir Khan, died of multiple injuries at New Cross Gate station in September 2013.
An inquest concluded he took the decision to end his life after years of battling depression. The verdict came on the same day ex-Premier League footballer Clarke Carlisle revealed he had been trying to kill himself when he was hit by a truck before Christmas.
Mr Powell, 47, had been working as a matchmaker for Frank Warren Promotions shortly before his death.
“We were devastated and it was such a shock to us all,” Mr Warren said. “We knew he had his ups and downs with depression and it seems to affect people from all walks of life and unfortunately he was not able to cope with it.”
The promoter, 62, said it had been “business as usual” the day before his friend’s death. The pair had been working on a contract for super middleweight champion Paul Smith but the next day Mr Powell didn’t answer his phone for their usual 7am catch-up.
Mr Warren said: “I got to the office and no one could get hold of him and a bit of news flashed up saying someone had jumped on the line at New Cross and somehow I knew it was him.”
Mr Powell’s long-term partner Lisa Rose attended last week’s inquest at Southwark, where coroner Lorna Tagliavini found sufficient evidence that Mr Powell had intended to kill himself.
Mr Warren paid tribute to his friend today, saying: “He was very, very liked and respected in the business and he was very good at what he did as a matchmaker, cornerman, cutman and trainer. All round he was boxing through and through.”
