Boxing coach leads tributes after sudden death of young father (21)

THE sudden death of an amateur Belfast boxer, who had three young children, has shocked his local community.

A family notice said Reece McAlorum, aged 21, died suddenly at his home on Wednesday.

He was described as “the beloved son of Michael and Sharon, much-loved brother of Karl, Tiarnan and Annaleece, loving father to Rylie, Katie-Rose and James Michael, and fiance of Catherine.”

Clonard Amateur Boxing Club on the Springfield Road, the home training ground of Michael Conlan, led the tributes yesterday.

His boxing coach Peter Gra- ham told the Belfast Telegraph he would be greatly missed and that he was someone people enjoyed to be around.

“Reece was very popular in our club always laughing and smiling,” he said. After a break from the sport, he recently had his first fight in six years.

“He boxed brilliantly that night,” said Mr Graham.

“I’m really saddened at his passing and everyone at the club will miss him. Rest in peace champ.”

A message on the club’s Facebook page added: “You will be missed by all your club mates, look over your family you were a gentleman.”

Meanwhile, hundreds of other tributes appeared on social media yesterday afternoon to the young father.

Friend Joseph Lavery-Adair said: “Such unexpected sad news, a good friend and father is no longer with us, we are all speechless and devastated at this news. You will be greatly missed.”

Another tribute described him as a “genuinely nice guy and a great supporter of the boxing scene in Belfast”.

Childhood friend Jessica Brown called him “an absolute gentleman and a pleasure to have grown-up with”.

Bernard Manning commented: “I’m in shock and don’t know what to think, he was a great kid and was proud to be part of the Clonard family.”

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced at this stage. Father-of-three Reece McAlorum died at his home on Wednesday