Nottingham boxer Nicky Booth has tragically passed away, aged just 40 years old. The former British & Commonwealth Champion who’s older brother Jason also held a British title, had been struggling with drug addiction following a number of turbulent years which also blighted his time in the ring which previously shown much promise from a young age.

Booth had a record of 23 fights, 17 wins, 5 defeats and a draw and during his early days regularly featured for Matchroom boxing on big events for Sky Sports and like his brother Jason, at one time was one of the hottest prospects in the country.

A bantamweight that fought for the IBO title in 2001, three years later aged 24, he was jailed for burglary before battles with drink and drugs took over and although Booth would fight again, his last bout in 2009 saw him a shadow of his old self when as a youngster he possessed tonnes of natural boxing ability.

In 2017 Booth was charged with punching a supermarket security guard and by then, the problems were painful to see as the decaying once boxing champ much more frail then in his early boxing days, would see him slur his words following years of self-abuse.

Booth sadly never got the help he needed and dies much too young, but what we can remember is what he did in the ring, when he took on the likes of Tommy Waite and won in Liverpool to take home the commonwealth and BBBofC British title, when he beat Ady Lewis at Harvey Haddon to defend his belts for the first time, when he took on Jose Sanjuanelo at the Wembley Conference Centre for the IBO world bantamweight crown, a boxer who at the top of his game, certainly did his city, his piers, his people, his friends, and his family, proud.

Tributes came in as global fight magazine, the esteemed and highly-regarded Boxing News website, posted their tribute to Booth saying: “What a tremendous fighter Nicky Booth was. A former British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion who always gave his all inside the ring. We’re deeply saddened to hear of his passing at the age of 40. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest easy, Champ,” whilst Carl Greaves, an established fight figure throughout Nottinghamshire, and beyond added: “Just heard the terrible news that former British and commonwealth bantamweight champion Nicky Booth has passed away so sad r.i.p champ.”

Other fight figures including David Coldwell, Barry McGuigan, Micky Helliet, and Steve Lillis paid their own, heart-felt, tributes.

Coldwell, beautifully, said: “Just heard former British & Commonwealth Champion Nicky Booth has died. A great character of the game & always in exciting fights. The Booth brothers gave Nottingham some great fight nights. Thoughts with Jason and the rest of the family,” McGuigan posted saying: “So sad to hear of the passing of former British and Commonwealth Bantamweight Champion Nicky Booth RIP deepest sympathies to his brother Jason and his family,” Helliet added: “Just heard Nicky Booth has died. Remember him boxing my mate James Yelland for the British Title a few years back,” and Lillis said: “My best Nicky Booth memory was after the British & Commonwealth title win against Tommy Waite that he took at a few days’ notice. His manager, Jimmy Gill, had to find him at Nottingham Fair to tell him he had the job. Thoughts with Jason and the rest of the Booth family.”

From all at Norttingham Sport, rest in peace 1 Smooth Booth. You’ll never be forgotten for always putting on a fantastic show.

*Main image @boxingscene Nicky Booth had a professional record of 17(7 KOs)-5-1.