Tributes have been paid to former kickboxer and Birmingham City fan Barrington Patterson - known as One Eyed Baz - who has died aged 56.
Tributes have been paid to former kickboxer, mixed martial artist and Birmingham City fan Barrington Patterson, popularly known as One Eyed Baz, who passed away on Tuesday aged 56 after a heart attack.
This morning, Barrington's wife Tracey took to Twitter to break the news, revealing her husband died after suffering a massive heart attack.
She wrote, "At 6 am, my beloved husband had a massive heart attack. West Midlands Ambulance Service worked for over an hour to save him; unfortunately, it wasn't to be our hearts are broken."
At 6am this morning my beloved husband had a massive heart attack worked for over an hour to save him unfortunately it wasn’t to be our hearts are broken 💔
— T j patterson (@Traceyjayp_)Patterson, a reformed community campaigner, grew up in Handsworth and was a former member of Birmingham City's Zulu hooligan firm. As a child, he was blinded in one eye through an accident when his sister threw a can at him, earning him the name One Eyed Baz.
Later, the former professional kickboxer campaigned against knife crime and homelessness in the city.
Several fans, boxing legends and celebrities took to Twitter to offer their condolences following this tragic news. Leading from the front was Birmingham City, which said in its tribute, "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."
Here's a look at some of the other tributes paid to One Eyed Baz:
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. 💙 pic.twitter.com/8orhIgHu9f
Devastated to hearing the passing of Barrington Patterson he was a breath of fresh air at charity events. He always loved a good laugh. Miss you big man. Much love.
— Paul Manners (@paulm_official)Sorry to let the combat sport world know, we've lost Barrington Patterson last night, a legend, flipped his life around, we travelled the world fighting together on the circuit. Thanks for making my life better Barrington, you'll be missed x
— Gary Turner (@SmilerTurner)RIP Barrington Patterson you will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Tracey and family. pic.twitter.com/J9OAOci7WR
— sid bennett (@sidbennett1)Rest in Peace Barrington Patterson. Very sad news. A man who once KO’d now-Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko in a kickboxing match.
This was his last ever tweet, helping reduce gang and youth violence in communities in hope that it will ‘make a change’ https://t.co/frttvvdmfR
With great sorrow I come here to confirm I have lost my good friend and big-hearted Zulu warrior Barrington Patterson aka One-Eyed Baz this morning, a life to celebrate but right now my heart weeps for his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/KuXzuHpPIk
— Cass Pennant (@Cass_Pennant)RIP Baz just heard that my long standing friend Baz -Barrington Patterson has passed away I am in shock. Thoughts with Tracy & family. pic.twitter.com/Wa27lzfjLI
— Frank Bruno MBE 🇬🇧 (@frankbrunoboxer)Very sorry to hear of sudden passing of Barrington Patterson. Larger than life old skool terrace legend at who’d worked for homeless and campaigned against knife crime in recent years.
— Chris Skudder (@chris_skudder)RIP Barrington Patterson (One-Eyed Baz) 😔 pic.twitter.com/H6DQaUkRj3
— ‘Your Obsession’ Kid Rothrock (@RothrockHOP)RIP Barrington Patterson 🙏🏾🤲🏾
— Kal Yafai (@iam_yafai)Shocked to hear of the passing of Barrington Patterson, BCFC legend. RIP Paji 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾. https://t.co/EMcRI5bxU2 pic.twitter.com/Rjz6RAmIwA
— Poora Singh (@PooraSingh)With great sorrow I come here to confirm I have lost my good friend and big-hearted Zulu warrior Barrington Patterson aka One-Eyed Baz this morning, a life to celebrate but right now my heart weeps for his loved ones. pic.twitter.com/KuXzuHpPIk
— Cass Pennant (@Cass_Pennant)RIP Barrington Patterson 💙 pic.twitter.com/fib3Lr0q3o
— Ryan Killeen (@RyanKilleen)R.I.P. 🙏🏻 Barrington “One Eyed Baz” Patterson pic.twitter.com/yOxpakINz8
— Filippone (@philipone9)So saddened and shocked to hear of the death of Barrington Patterson at just 56 years old, thinking of Tracey and family 💔💔https://t.co/HmR9CZUie0 pic.twitter.com/fwJxkLRj4g
— Andy Jones (@andybjones)