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Tributes have been paid to former Wishaw boxer and “true gentleman” Dave Mooney who passed away on Friday. The 93-year-old from Cambusnethan, who worked as a miner, beat Johnny Cole to win a British light heavyweight title in 1956. Dave, known locally and affectionately as Davy, passed away following a relatively short period of illness. Dave’s granddaughter Joanne Yuill, said: “He was diagnosed with bowel cancer five weeks ago and took a bad infection. He was taken into hospital. He got his wish and got home and my mum stayed with him every night before he passed away at home on Friday. “My gran Isobel passed away a few years ago but my granddad was so independent. He was living at home himself and did all his own housework and up until the start of the year he’d still go to the sauna and the gym. “He was so well known and used to walk from Camby up to Shotts baths daily to go swimming. I’ve so many memories of staying there, and every Saturday we’d go up to Scott’s Cafe in Carluke. He was always telling stories and knew everybody. “He still attended the boxing club one Sunday every month.” He was a dad-of-three, grandfather of seven, and a great granddad of nine. Before coming a pro-fighter Dave had previously been a Scottish amateur champion but after trying to make the weight to fight as a middleweight, he ended up in hospital after losing too many pounds and gave up the sport for a time. Speaking back in 2013, Dave explained: “I thought I was a better middleweight than I was a light heavyweight, so I tried to lose weight, but I took too much off and landed in hospital and was told I would never fight again, so I packed it in.” He made his comeback in 1956, beating Englishman Johnny Cole on a day off from working at the pit to take a British title. Dave ended up racking up 16 pro-bouts between then and 1958 including fights at Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall. His final fight was against Craigneuk man Chic (Charles) Calderwood, and Dave was stopped in the fifth round. He had been suffering from painful boils on his arms he’d developed from working at the coalface, but admitted that Calderwood was too good for him on the night. The pair had crossed paths just days earlier in Waterloo when both had been out running in preparation for the fight. The two men got together again the day after the fight at Chic’s house where they shook hands and became friends. Tragically, Chic - who won the British light-heavyweight title twice and a Commonwealth title, died at the age of 29. Joanne revealed that Chic’s daughter visited her grandfather at home just last week. During an interview around a decade ago, Dave recalled: “You knock hell out of one another and the next minute you’re pals.” Despite fighting 16 pro-fights, Dave Mooney only earned a three-figure total from his boxing career. His love of the sport kept him involved when he retired from fighting, the Wishaw man became a trainer, developing up-and-coming young talent in the area. Dave was awarded the Benny Lynch Certificate of Merit for Services to Boxing in 2013. He also worked for a spell as a doorman in local licensed premises and was still out working, doing gardening and building works, well into his sixties and seventies. Even in later life he kept himself fit and was a well-known face in the community when out and about out on his daily walks, or sitting outside his home chatting to passers-by and neighbours during the warmer weather. Davy was a regular attendee at church in Cambusnethan every Sunday. Councillor Robert John McKendrick said: “Davy was a well-respected guy. My dad and my uncle knew him well and I first met him as a laddie. I think he used to work the doors at the Camby club as well as being a boxer. "He was a big gentleman and treated everyone with great respect. He will be sadly missed in the community.” Les Hoey MBE described Davey as an "inspiration and gentleman". Tributes were also paid on social media. Colin Davies said: “I remember Davy from when I worked at Shotts baths back in 96. Always joking with us, and a wee spar as he walked past. True Gent.” “What a character, still kept himself fit, walked all over and you would see him down the sports centre most mornings,” said Robert Owen. Jackie Gilmour commented: “RIP Davy, a right gentleman.” Jake Glenny added: “Sad news, one of Wishaw’s finest. Sleep tight, Davy”. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
