Respected Kiwi boxing coach Chris Martin, who worked with David Tua and Joseph Parker, dies

One of New Zealand’s best-regarded boxing coaches, who worked with David Tua and Joseph Parker, has died suddenly.

It’s understood Chris Martin, 59, died of a heart attack on Monday.

Martin worked with David Tua on his ring comeback in 2011 with fights against Demetrice King and Monte Barrett and more recently had been a cornerman for former world heavyweight champion Joseph Parker.

He trained a string of prominent New Zealand boxers, including Soulan Pownceby, Daniella Smith, Steven Heremaia, Marcus Haywood, and Nik Charamlampous, who posted on Facebook: “My friend. My heart is broken.”

Martin was also regularly in demand as a cornerman for overseas boxers who had taken fights in New Zealand.

He had only recently been in Melbourne working with Parker on his fight with Faiga ‘Django’ Opelu.

“He was a wonderful part of the camp in Joseph’s last fight – he dropped everything to come and help at late notice and was a great addition to the team,” said Parker’s manager David Higgins. “Everyone loved having him around. I’m shocked.”

Boxing promoter Mark Keddell said he’d spoken to Martin on the morning of his death. “Chris was a really good guy, and we would talk a lot on the phone early in the morning – he was always up before 7am.”

Former promoter Mick Watson said: “Chris was a good man for New Zealand boxing. He was a staple of New Zealand boxing for so many years – although he trained many prominent fighters he should be equally remembered for his contribution to developing young boxers and corporate fighters. What a very sad day for New Zealand boxing.”

Sky broadcaster Steven McIvor, who was trained by Martin for two of his Fight for Life corporate bouts, wrote on Facebook: “The NZ boxing community lost a good one today. Quiet, but passionate about the sweet science.”

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