Boxing South Africa (BSA) is mourning following the passing away of one of the most experienced ring officials in South Africa, Edward ‘Eddie’ Marshall, on Friday morning. He was 68.
The well-travelled ring official, who was going to celebrate his 69th birthday on Wednesday next week, passed away after he had been ill for more than two years. Marshall was the World Boxing Federation (WBF) head of Africa at the time of his death.
“Boxing South Africa is saddened by the loss of one of the most dedicated servants of the fistic sport, Mr Eddie Marshall. He was a veteran ring official from Mitchell’s Plain, who officiated in more than 300 boxing fights, both as a referee, judge and fight supervisor,” a BSA statement said on Friday afternoon.
“This soft spoken but yet very firm ring official officiated in more than 100 fights outside South Africa. Eddie travelled the globe representing the country and was well respected across the boxing fraternity. He was one of the most experienced but yet most humble in the country. The man was more than a ring official in the Western Cape. He was a selfless person who never put himself in front of anybody.”
The BSA statement added: “He treated everybody, young and old with utmost respect and humility. Eddie was always there when he was called to assist in the development of boxing. He is the brains behind the success of Western Cape ring officials. He was always there to give refresher courses. Western Cape lost a grandfather, a father, a brother, a leader, but above all, lost a teacher.”
