Boxer takes winner’s belt off sale site after financial support

The boxing community rallied behind a Dundee fighter who put his IBF European Super Featherweight belt on sale so he can buy his family Christmas presents.

Ronnie ‘The Shark’ Clark was “gutted” to put his belt on ebay after a series of cancelled fights left him short of money. He even offered to sign the belt if the winning bidder wanted him to.

He also said he would personally deliver it to the winner to ensure it got to them “safely”.

His story earned the support of the boxing community, including former Commonwealth lightweight champion Tommy Coyle offering him £1,000 to help him through the tough times – on the condition that he keeps the belt.

He later shared a text message exchange on his Twitter feed that appeared to show a conversation between himself and Clark. In it, the Dundee boxer thanked Mr Coyle for sending him £900 and saying it “means a lot”.

The bell was then rung on the listing as it was taken down by Clark late on November 25. At one point before being taken down, the listing reached £940.

Clark won the belt in February and has had three fights cancelled since then, including a bout on November 15 after would-be opponent Sam Bowen suffered injured ribs during training.

Clark was jailed last year for nine months after a campaign of controlling his former partner Rebecca Graham, including installing spyware on her phone to keep an eye on who she was contacting.

Ronnie Clark.