Brendon Smith shares heartbreak that never fades after son’s death

One of Australia’s top boxing trainers and promoters reveals why the pain will never fade after the death of his son following a bout.

Brendon Smith (front left) carries his son Braydon out of St Patricks Catholic Cathedral in Toowoomba. Hundreds gathered to remember the Toowoomba boxer who died days after a fight in March 2015. Picture: David Martinelli

A decade after the death of his son Braydon, boxing trainer Brendon Smith still paces the gym wondering if he should leave the sport that killed his son.

One of Australia’s most promising young boxers, Braydon died on March 16, 2015 less than two days after being hospitalised following a boxing match in Toowoomba.

Ahead of the 10th anniversary of his son’s death Brendon said the pain had only worsened.

Brendon’s words come on the eve of annual fight night held in Braydon’s honour.

Toowoomba’s Rumours International will once again host the card, the biggest in the event’s history, with amateur bouts starting at 1pm ahead of the pro fighters later on Saturday night.

“One thing I have learned on this journey is it doesn’t get easier,” he said.

“It only gets harder all the way through. It’s always difficult, always hard.

“We miss him so much and always will.”

Braydon collapsed around 90 minutes after losing to Filipino John Moralde on points in a bout for the WBC Asian Boxing Council continental featherweight title.

The man who was in the final year of a law degree at the University of Southern Queensland was placed in an induced coma in an attempt save his life.

Surrounded by family and close friends the then 23-year-old, who was an organ donar, died when his life support was turned off.

Brendon Smith puts his son Braydon through a session in 2010. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Braydon Smith with his brothers Tanner (left) and Noah (right).

“He was my best mate alongside my other two lads Tanner and Noah,” Brendon said.

“We got on so great all the time.

“He was an amazing young man, never had a mean bone in his body.

“So thoughtful, caring, above his years by far. A heart as big as himself and a gentle soul.

“An incredible athlete with a will to win and challenge.

“I saw it in him, Noah and Tanner, anything they put their minds to they want to excel.

“Brayd wanted the world. He was a law student, he wanted to join the air force and be a pilot.

“But his number one love was boxing, it was all he truly wanted, his greatest passion.”

Heartbroken to this day Brendon admits he has questioned his place in boxing.

Brendon’s first test came almost immediately after his son’s death.

“We had Jack Asis, the Cinderella story, grew up on the streets of the Philippines was to fight for his first world title three weeks after Brayd,” Brendon said.

“He (Asis) was in tatters. We got up and got him there (the title fight).

“Here was a man, a brother to Brayd that spent many years with him.

“We had to keep going because it was Jack’s dream – we rallied for him.”

Hundreds gathered to remember Toowoomba boxer Braydon Smith who died days after a fight in March 2015.

Hundreds gathered to remember Toowoomba boxer Braydon Smith who died days after a fight in March 2015.

Mourners place flowers in front of Smithy's Gym in honour of boxer Braydon Smith. Picture: Stuart Cumming

Asis won the IBO World Super Featherweight with a knockout win over Kye MacKenzie and paid homage to his ‘brother’.

The win offered some relief for Brendon but he admits to experiencing a lot of challenging and difficult days.

He’s paced his gym countless times wondering if he should continue as trainer but his heart always turns one way.

The Smith family’s love of the sport and Braydon’s long held desire to change how boxing is perceived keeps Brendon ringside.

“Our family and I know that Braydon would never have wanted me to stop,” Brendon said.

“I made him a promise that I will continue to do this forever.

“Has it been easy no. I remember doing laps of this gym thinking I can’t do it anymore.

“I remember feeling lost but then I would come here (the gym) and change.

“Is it easy? No. Is it ever going to be easy? No. Are we ever going to get over it? No but it is about how we can help, how we can grow. There are stories in this gym.

“Lekaysha (Woodbridge) is like a daughter to me – her father was the first boxer I ever trained and she grew up without him after his death. She has grown up in here.

“Young Aiden Preston, he lost his brother to brain cancer. His dad bought him in here and said he’s never seen him grow so much.

“I’m not the only one with a story, there’s hurt everywhere in this gym.

“We just keep going because we can help – if anything I work more hours than ever to provide opportunities for everyone. Not just the boxers that want to fight – everyone.

“There’s lots of love and support here.”

Originally published as Brendon Smith shares heartbreak that never fades after son’s death