Ipswich coach gets emotional message from Olympian pupil

Suffolk New College welding lecturer Simon Mullan, 47, has been a part of Lewis Richardson’s journey for over a decade, having coached him since he was just 13.

The 27-year-old is currently in Paris, preparing to represent Team GB in the 71kg boxing category.

The journey to get to the Olympics has been tough. Mr Richardson won a test event in Tokyo ahead of previous games, but thought he’d dreams had been dashed when the pandemic hit.

This time around, he had to lose 4kg, or almost nine pounds, to qualify, because his original category of 75kg no longer exists.

Simon said that he will be cheering Lewis on from afar. Image: Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College) The Olympic Games are taking place in Paris from Friday until August 11. Image: PA (Image: PA) Simon pictured with another Olympic hopeful, Rosie Eccles, who he met in Germany where he was acting as a boxing referee. Image: Suffolk New College (Image: Suffolk New College)

Mr Mullan – who sparred against Joe Calzaghe as a youngster – has stuck with Mr Richardson throughout.

While Mr Mullan can’t be in Paris to cheer him on, as he will be refereeing schools’ boxing European Championships in Bosnia, Mr Mullan was delighted to hear from Mr Richardson this week.

He said: “I came back from holiday this week and, in between lots of bills and letters on the doormat, was a card with the Eiffel Tower on it.

“On the back it said: ‘To Simon – we did it. Olympian forever. Just a quick message to thank you for supporting me – from a boy to a man. I am very grateful. You have been far more than just a coach in boxing – you have been my mother, a father, a friend, a physio, nutritionist and much much more. Always here. Olympics here we come. Lewis’.

“I messaged him and said, ‘that choked me up’. When you get back from holiday you get the holiday blues – then I saw the postcard – and it was such a nice touch.

“I’ll be messaging him and cheering on from afar.”