He was a “larger-than-life” character and a leading mentor to the present, and next, generation. So, the death of Handsworth-born Barrington Patterson will stay – reverberating around his home-city of Birmingham for years to come.
A well-known community campaigner, the former member of Birmingham City F.C.'s Zulu Warriors hooligan group, ‘One-Eye Baz’ – as he became known as - would later go on to work with young people, boxing groups and anti-gang initiatives throughout the city and far beyond.
A successful kickboxer, mixed martial artist and cage fighter, he featured in a TV series presented by actor Danny Dyer called Britain's Deadliest Men and the Bravo documentary The Real Football Factories. He on to write a best-selling autobiography, as well as feature as himself in 2014 British crime film The Guvnors.
His wife, Tracey, wrote: ‘We didn’t get to finish our story the out pouring of love brings myself and the family great comfort it wasn’t supposed to end this way.’
Birmingham City wrote: ‘The Club are saddened to learn of the passing of lifelong Bluenose, Barrington Patterson. All of our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.
‘May you rest in peace, Baz.’
Former heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno also paid tribute, tweeting: ‘RIP Baz just heard that my long standing friend Baz -Barrington Patterson has passed away I am in shock.
‘Thoughts with Tracy & family.’
Before his surprise passing, Barrington had abandoned his fighting days to set up Birmingham’s Homeless Support Team, as well as campaigning in schools for the #knivesdownglovesup initiative.
The Mayor of war-torn Kyiv, in Ukraone, and former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Vitali Klitschko – who fought Patterson in a title fight, also sent his condolences to the Patterson family.
He died of a heart attack, age 56.
