A FORMER British boxing champion has paid tribute to his mother - the woman who showed him how to box - after she died, aged 82.

Des Rea, who became British Junior Welterweight champion in 1968, said he would not have become a boxer if it wasn't for his mother Elizabeth Hurley, who died aged 82.

Des, 56, of Edgeside, Great Harwood, said: "She started the whole boxing thing off. I was born in Belfast and I was bullied because I am a Catholic.

"One day when I was six I went home crying to my mum. She got down on her knees, put her fists up and showed me how to fight. She loved it and went to nearly all my fights.

"I wouldn't have done anything if it wasn't for her. My mum drove me on and made me a boxer."

Des, who turned professional in 1964 when he was 20, boxed around the globe for 10 years.

Born in Belfast but raised in Liverpool, he won the British title when he was 24. He was the fist-ever champion at the 10 stone junior welterweight division, which he held for a year.

Des never fought for a world title but had a title eliminator against Bruno Arcadia but was stopped in the sixth round. He said his toughest opponent was American Jose Napolese. He lost the fight but earned his highest pay packet of £3,500.

"I had 69 fights and lost a lot, but that was because I went all around the world where angels feared to tread. I fought all the top men in the world."

He is now suffering from double vision, which he said started after a clash of heads in the ring. "I should have retired then but I couldn't because I had no money.

"I have just had an operation to correct the double vision but the specialist said I might need two or three more.."

Mrs Hurley, who lived in the Wirral, died on December 15 and her funeral is due to be held tomorrow.

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