BRITISH former heavyweight boxer Mark Potter has died at the age of 47.
The London-born fighter fought for the British heavyweight title against Danny Williams at Wembley Arena in 2000.
Potter was diagnosed with aggressive stomach cancer in November 2021.
He was given just 18 months to live after it spread to his spine.
However, Potter – called “as brave as they come” by promoter Frank Warren – has lost his short battle with the disease.
Tributes from across the boxing world have poured in for the Brit, who enjoyed a six-year career starting in 1997.
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Warren emotionally wrote: “I and everyone at Queensberry Promotions are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former British heavyweight title challenger Mark Potter.
“Mark was a great fighter and an even bigger character who was involved in many entertaining fights over the years and was a hugely popular face around the fight scene, particularly in the London area.
“Mark fought some great fights during his career and was as brave as they come, but sadly he succumbed to one opponent that abides by and respects no rules at all.
“We send our heartfelt sympathies to Mark’s family and friends.
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“We will honour his memory and pay tribute to him next weekend when we will observe boxing’s traditional ten bells at the O2 Arena in London – a city where he enjoyed so many good nights and lived his life to the full.
“Mark was a fighter right to the end and never stopped punching — may he rest in peace.”
Fellow promoter Eddie Hearn also tweeted: “Rest in Peace Mark Potter.”
Olympic gold medallist Audley Harrison added: “RIP Mark & condolences to his family & friends.
“He gave me a hell of a battle in the London ABA’s & went on to have a decent pro career too – looking back, a lot of boxers have passed in the last few years. Definitely makes you appreciate our time here.”
Potter, nicknamed “The Great White Shark”, won 21 of his 26 career fights.
He would go on to have spells in MMA and kickboxing following his career in the ring and most-recently worked as a personal trainer.
Late last year, Potter was diagnosed with stage four cancer of the stomach and bone.
Potter revealed his life changed when he started to experience numbness in his calves, which he initially thought was the result of a pinched nerve due to his active lifestyle.
The numbness continued to spread and Mark visited his GP, who told him he may only have another 18 months to live.
In March 2022, Potter revealed he was still in fighting fit shape.
He claimed: “[At the time of diagnosis] in November I was almost in fighting shape, I could run six kilometres in 30 minutes.
“I was squatting 200kg for six reps regularly, and deadlifting 200 for 10 reps.”
Potter leaves behind wife Hannah.
Earlier this year, a distraught Hannah, 46, claimed: “When they told us the diagnosis, I had a complete meltdown.
“He has tumours in his stomach that spread to his spine, which caused the numbness.
“When he said his calf was feeling really weird, I thought it must be a pinched nerve or something.
“He was regularly doing squats and deadlifts, so we just assumed it was down to that.
“He had said to me he was feeling the best he had done in months.”
Just two weeks ago, Potter was pictured in a wheelchair at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with legends Martin Chivers and Paul Allen.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
