Memorial for slain fighter

Photo: Contributed

Tim Hague

Edmonton fighter Tim Hague, who died after getting knocked out in the second round of a boxing match earlier this month, was remembered as a devoted father during a celebration of life service in his hometown of Boyle, Alta., on Monday.

Friends, fans, family and fellow fighters spilled out of the packed community centre where mourners gathered to honour the 34-year-old — father to his nine-year-old son, Brady, and a Grade 4 English teacher at an Edmonton elementary school.

“He was a great dad," said his roommate, Aaron Teed. "Wherever he went, Brady went. They were best friends. With his students he had a great relationship with them. He really enjoyed it."

His friend, Terry Hills of Kelowna, B.C., choked up as he recalled their time together.

“My kids gave him the lovable nickname ‘Fight Guy,’ and we just became friends after that. He'd come out and visit me every summer with Brady,” said Hills.

“He was a community boy. He was a proud Boyle boy. He loved the city of Edmonton.”

Hague died from injuries he sustained during a heavyweight boxing match against former Edmonton Eskimo player Adam Braidwood. A third-party investigation will soon be underway, looking at the actions of everyone involved, from promoters, to the referee and judges, to the commission that sanctioned the match.