Dad’s heartbreaking tribute to boxer Trent
THE dad of tragic boxer Trent Warburton moved a crowd of hundreds to tears as he read an emotional poem at his funeral.
Terry Warburton bravely spoke to a packed service of at least 500 people at St Mary’s with St Patrick’s church in Oldham.
Earlier, the horse-drawn carriage carrying Trent’s coffin, covered in a image of a boxing ring, brought the town centre to a standstill.
The 17-year-old died last month when he was hit by a car on Oldham Road near junction 22 of the M60 in Hollinwood.
Trent was on a bicycle with his 19-year-old cousin who was also seriously injured in the collision.
A 27-year-old man was later arrested in Failsworth on suspicion of dangerous driving and drink-driving. He remains on bail.
Trent was widely known as one of the region’s best up-and-coming boxers.
He was a North West champion at the age of 14 and boxer Anthony Crolla paid tribute to Trent after his fight at the Manchester Arena last month. Crolla said: “I’m sure in five or 10 years time there’s a good chance he would’ve been in this arena himself... so God bless him and God bless his family.”
Family and friends gathered yesterday to pay their respects.
In their eulogy, his parents Terry Warburton and Janine Cave described Trent as their ‘beautiful, cheeky boy’ who ‘always had a big heart and was there for everyone.’
Trent was ‘so protective of his sisters’ and couldn’t wait to become an uncle, but sadly he died before he got to meet his new baby nephew.
Trent was his mum’s ‘beautiful, blue-eyed boy who could do no wrong – he just had to smile to get his own way.’
The eulogy ended: “So come on our kid, let’s smile and remember all the good times that we had with ‘the champ’ Trent Warby, God bless you.”
Trent’s dad Terry then read a poem – ‘I saw him’ by Natalie Brophy – which left many weeping and sparked spontaneous applause.
It included these lines: “I saw him say his first words, I saw him cry out for me, I cradled him into my chest, my heart beating with glee, I saw him take his first steps, I saw him fall and get back up, I saw his smile, when he saw mine, my little boy growing right in front of me, I saw him on his first day of school, I saw his proud little face, I saw as he made friends, his kindness was his grace, I saw him grow, I saw him leap, I saw him smile, I saw him weep, He was mine, my son, my world, to keep.
Today these things are memorable, as God took my boy too soon,
And although my eyes cannot see, my heart knows he is free and right here beside me.”