FAMILY and friends gathered to say goodbye to an “inspirational” amateur boxer who died while out training.

Leigh Horne, 30, died earlier this month after an accident involving a lorry in Middleton Stoney Road, near Shakespeare Drive, Bicester.

Yesterday, mourners gathered at St Edburg’s Church, Church Street, Bicester, to pay tribute to the 30-year-old member of Oxford Boxing Academy, who was described as “determined, driven and focused”.

Mr Horne’s coffin was brought into the church to the tune of Eye of the Tiger, by American rock band Survivor, which was written for the boxing movie Rocky III.

At the service Mr Horne’s mother, Linda Browne, described him as her “warrior son”.

She said: “Not many people knew what they wanted to do, but Leigh did.

“Nothing prevented Leigh doing what he wanted. If he set his mind on something, nothing could budge him.

“Whatever life threw at Leigh he took it on the chin, got himself up and started again.

“He was so strong, resilient and brave, I used to call him my warrior son.

“I believed that he was invincible”

His sister Abby Williams described Mr Horne as “an inspirational brother and friend”.

In another tribute by Mr Horne’s father Philip, read by the Rev Becky Mathew, he said Leigh was his best friend and brought much love and laughter into their home.

Mr Horne, of Wensum Crescent, Bicester, was originally from Aylesbury and also went to school in the town.

He trained to be a civil engineer and had most recently worked on Oxford’s Churchill Hospital redevelopment.

He was out on a training run on the day he died.

A collection in memory of Mr Horne will be donated to the Oxford Boxing Academy.

Mrs Browne, who lives in Ireland, has also sponsored an annual trophy at the club in memory of Mr Horne to be presented to the most promising senior boxer.