Former British heavyweight boxer and title challenger Mark Potter has died after a tragic battle with cancer. He was given less than 18 months to live at the start of 2022 after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer that had spread to his spine.
Tributes have been paid to the London-born fighter, including from promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren, after it was announced Potter – who was diagnosed with stomach cancer in March this year – had passed away following a battle with illness.
Potter was nicknamed ‘The Great White Shark’ and won 21 of 26 fights as a professional boxer, also had stints in MMA fighting and kickboxing.
iFLTV confirmed Potter had passed away in a statement released on Saturday evening. “Some sad news to bring you tonight… The popular former British heavyweight, Mark ‘The Great White Shark’ Potter, has sadly lost his battle with stomach cancer,” their statement read. “Our thoughts and condolences go out to Mark’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Anthony Joshua’s promoter Hearn was among those to respond to the post. Hearn wrote in the comments on Instagram: “Rest in peace.”
Boxing supremo Warren released a lengthy tribute to Potter, writing: “Frank Warren and everyone at Queensberry Promotions are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former British heavyweight title challenger Mark Potter.
“Mark was a great fighter and an even bigger character who was involved in many entertaining fights over the years and was a hugely popular face around the fight scene, particularly in the London area. Mark fought some great fights during his career and was as brave as they come, but sadly he succumbed to one opponent that abides by and respects no rules at all.
“We send our heartfelt sympathies to Mark’s family and friends and will honour his memory and pay tribute to him next weekend when we will observe boxing’s traditional ten bells at the O2 Arena in London. A city where he enjoyed so many good nights and lived his life to the full. Mark was a fighter right to the end and never stopped punching — may he rest in peace.”
Audley Harrison, who won gold at the 2000 Olympics for Team GB, meanwhile wrote on Twitter: “Sorry to read this, RIP Mark & condolences to his family & friends – he gave me a hella of a battle in the London ABA’s & went on to have a decent pro career too – looking back, a lot of boxers have passed in the last few years. Definitely makes you appreciate our time here.”
Potter was given less than 18 months to live after the 47-year-old began to experience health problems back in January. Potter felt numbness in his calves at the start of the year and at that point sought medical advice.
The numb feeling eventually spread up his legs and the personal trainer, a father of two children, was diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer. Tumours had compressed his nerves which led to the numbness in his legs.
He had been documenting his battle against cancer on his social media accounts, with his family setting up a fundraising page to help fund his treatments. At the time of writing, the GoFundMe page had raised over £33,000 with support from boxing and beyond.
Only a week ago, he was pictured in a wheelchair alongside Tottenham Hotspur legends Martin Chivers and Paul Allen attending a Premier League football match, which was the final post from his Instagram account.