The boxing world has united in tribute to former British heavyweight champion Gary Mason, who was killed in a bicycle crash yesterday.

Frank Bruno, who used to train with Mason, said he was shocked to hear the news early this morning.

He said: “We are both south London lads and used to spend a lot of time together.

“Gary was probably a better boxer than me but I think I just had more determination.

“It is incredibly sad.”

And Dave Davies, Mason's former sports agent, said the 48-year-old was "quite a character".

“I used to look after Gary towards the end of his career. He was a good lad and quite a character," he said.

“He had a good sense of humour. He was always mixing up my wife and my secretary's name. It was quite amusing especially as there was a 30 year difference between them.

“He had hundreds and hundreds of friends and he gave everyone his phone number – but it was my phone number so I was practically his social secretary as well.

“Knowing Gary he was probably on his bike trying to get fit after Christmas and for something like this to happen is just terrible.

"He was a lovable guy and will be greatly missed."

Sports promoter Barry Hearn said Mason launched his boxing career.

He said “Gary was in the first show I put on when I decided to get involved in boxing in 1987.

“He was in a fight with a Dutch heavyweight in Southend. Typically, Gary won in the second round with a knock out.

“I fell in love with doing it because I loved the excitement.

“He wasn't the fittest fighter and he didn't live the life of a monk but he could punch with both hands.

“He was a lovable guy and a character.

“It is very sad.”

Former Olympic boxing champion Bob Wells, who lives in Carshalton, said Mason was a close personal friend and talented boxer.

They fought each other professionally, and had kept in touch from living near each other.

He said: "He was a fantastic, upstanding man, that noone could say a bad thing about him.

"He had an incredible career and one of the greatest fighters of his generation."

He said he had seen him just a few months ago at Carshalton College where he was teaching young people drums through his social enterprise Rythmical Empowerment Group.

He said: "He was really enjoying what he was doing. It was something he was really putting himself into."

Wayne Jones, a student enrichment officer at Carshalton College, met Mason while working on a community project.

Gary was invited to the college during Black History Month to teach students how to play the drums.

The project was part of Gary’s involvement with the Rhythmical Empowerment Group, who promote equality and diversity through music and rhythm.

Mr Jones said: "Gary was the kind of person you only have to meet once and never forget. He was charismatic and always had a big beaming smile and warm laugh. He was professional and an inspiration to the students. He will be missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends."

Boxing World champion, Wayne Alexander, from Croydon, said Mason was an inspiration to him when he was growing up.

He said: “I followed his career when I was a kid. I wanted to be a British champion like him.

“I was very sorry to hear what happened and I send my condolences to his friends and family.”

Jeweller Dermot Ingram worked for Mason in his jewellery shop in Kent more than 20 years ago.

He said: “I worked for him for four years when I was about 14 years old.

"He wasn't the best boxer in the world but he was caring to a fault. He always used to help us out and nothing was too much trouble.

“His heart was as big as his head. It is very sad.”