Boxer, 33, dies suddenly as heartbreaking tributes pour in to 'one of life's good guys'

Heartbreaking have poured in for a remembered as "one of life's good guys" following his sudden and unexpected death.

Frankie Carrothers, a super heavyweight boxer from west , died on Wednesday, his family announced this week, leaving the community in shock. His cause of death is yet to be confirmed, but friends and loved ones have flocked to deliver their tributes to the local sporting star.

Frankie, known as "Bring Your Brothers" Carrothers had fought for west Belfast clubs on an amateur level, including Clonard, Gleann and St John Bosco’s, while also working as a taxi driver on Grosvenor Road, where he grew up. Friends have remembered him as a man who "always wanted a good laugh" despite having suffered significantly following the pandemic.

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The Belfast Telegraph reported that one friend described him as "one of life’s good guys", adding: "[He] always wanted to have a laugh and good things to say, was straight up and a good friend to many”. Padraig McCrory, another pro-fighter, paid tribute to Mr Carrothers with a host of photos on his social media pages.

He wrote: “RIP big man. Horrible news. Rest easy.” Two of the boxer's former clubs have issued statements following news of his death, which marked a "sad day for west Belfast". Clonard ABC said: "A sad day for the club as former boxer Frankie Carrothers has passed away this morning. Frankie was a real gentleman and will be sadly missed by everyone."

St Paul's Antrim ABC added in a statement of its own: "We here at St Paul’s Club Belfast are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Frankie Carrothers, a true character in Irish boxing. Frankie’s presence, passion, and contributions to the sport have left an indelible mark on all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends."

Mr Carrothers had spent three days in intensive care and a high-dependency unit at Royal Victoria Hospital while battling Covid at the height of the pandemic in 2020. He had previously suffered from sickness, like and Bell's palsy in the past. He ended an eight-year boxing hiatus the same year he went to hospital, having fought in the super-heavyweight semi-final of the Ulster Elite Championships in February.