A portrait of Clark at Friday’s gathering. Credit: Christina Lee photos Ring One Boxing board member Ron Hurt: “He won because he doesn’t have to suffer anymore.” Russell Blackwell: “There were times when I lost, he came up to me and said that he was proud of me, and that I did a gr eat job. To hear him say that—it was like I won.” Several dozen Hill community members gathered at the Ring One Boxing gym on Congress Avenue Friday evening to celebrate the life and legacy of Brian Turner Clark, a legendary boxing coach and neighborhood mentor who died last week at the age of 67. Clark’s official obituary (printed below) states that he died after two decades of fighting problems with his heart and lungs. Friday’s vigil took place in the 790 Congress Ave. gym, where Clark’s students, friends, and family took turns stepping into the black and yellow balloon-filled boxing ring to share their memories of Clark and the impact he had on their lives. Former Hill Alder and Ring One Boxing board member Ron Hurt commenced the vigil by acknowledging the sadness of Clark’s passing, but also celebrating the release from his pain. “He won because he doesn’t have to suffer anymore…He doesn’t have to struggle to breathe. He won,” Hurt said. He continued by praising the community Clark built through his career as a boxing coach and the generations of students he left behind—many of whom later sent their own children to Clark’s gym. Born in Danbury in 1958, Clark operated Ring One Boxing since the 1990s after serving in the U.S. Navy for four years after high school. As Connecticut’s oldest continuously operating boxing gym, Ring One Boxing became a pillar of the Hill as Clark coached the city’s youth in boxing, fitness, and self-improvement. He trained students as young as seven or eight years old, college students, and adults.  Inducted into the state’s Boxing Hall of Fame in 2018, Clark was a skilled coach who sent his students — including three-time world champion Chad Dawson — to national championships. Johnny Williams Jr., 61, spoke up at Friday’s vigil as a longtime Ring One member who met Clark in the 1980s, when Clark finished serving in the Navy and was a student at Central Connecticut State University. Williams, who began boxing in 1980 and continued to box throughout his life, eventually sent his own children to train under Clark at Ring One. He warmly remembered trying to coach his son from outside the ring until Clark would yell, “Johnny, either you’re going to train or I’m going to train him!”—at which point Williams would step back. Clark’s uncompromising nature as a coach was characteristic of his no-excuses approach, constantly pushing his students to improve and stay disciplined.  Photographer Joose Bogans met Clark in 2006, when Clark had long hair down to his back. Clark allowed Bogans to take photographs in his gym for free. He would typically photograph Clark when he was in the middle of coaching, or “in his element,” Bogans said. “He would be studying and watching the fighters like a hawk.” To any gym members who attempted to backseat coach like Williams Jr., Clark would shout, “If you want to coach, get your own gym!”  Clark was more than a dedicated coach—he was also a father figure to many, and inspired personal growth in his students.  Clark began coaching Angelo Sevilla in 2019. At Friday’s vigil, Sevilla stepped into the ring and read a letter he prepared to honor Clark. Through tears, Sevilla recounted the many lessons Clark had imparted to him as he oversaw he oversaw Sevilla’s growth as a fighter from “below average” to “almost decent,” and lastly, “really, really good.” “Brian has done what no teacher has ever done in my life. He challenged me to find true enlightenment within myself,” Sevilla said.  When Sevilla left for college, he barely scraped through his first semester. Coming from nothing, he explained, and being surrounded by children of politicians and surgeons, he felt like he was going to drop out. At the same time, he missed Brian and the “peace and purpose” the gym gave him amid hardships.  “Then I remember what Brian taught me—that genius is something we all can develop. And then, I did just that,” Sevilla said.  In the wake of his loss, Sevilla holds steadfast to Clark’s words of encouragement. He stated that he is prepared to continue to be an academic and keep exceeding, whether it means going for his master’s degree or becoming a lawyer, thanks to Clark.  Similarly, Russell Blackwell, whose first boxing coach was Clark, remembered him for his warm support in times of adversity. “There were times when I lost,” Blackwell said. “He came up to me and said that he was proud of me, and that I did a great job. To hear him say that—it was like I won.” Another speaker at the vigil was attorney Michael Dolan, who also serves on the Board of Directors for Ring One Boxing and represented Ring One and professional boxers throughout his legal career. Reflecting on Clark’s selfless attitude, Dolan encouraged those in attendance to keep his legacy alive by caring for each other. “Don’t forget what Brian did for all of us, for the community, and use that to inspire each of you to give back, not everyday, but as much as you can,” Dolan said. As he stepped out of the boxing ring, his words were met with applause. See below for Clark’s full official obituary, as printed on the Cody-White Funeral Home website. Brian Turner Clark, 67 Brian Turner Clark, 67, of New Haven, CT passed away on January 26, 2026, at the CT VA Hospital in West Haven CT. after valiantly fighting his heart and lung issues for over 20 years. Brian was an amazing son, brother, uncle, godfather, veteran, boxer, coach, mentor, and community advocate. He was born in Danbury on October 23, 1958, son of Walter E. Clark III and Cynthia (Perkins) Clark. Brian grew up in Orange, CT and attended Amity Regional High School in Woodbridge CT. After high school, Brian joined the US Navy and proudly served his country for four years and later attended Central CT State University. Brian’s lasting legacy is his gym, Ring One Boxing, the state’s oldest continuously operating boxing gym, which has served as a community institution for many years. Brian often used his own money to keep the gym running and support young fighters. To Brian and so many others, Ring One was more than just a gym; it was a true community cornerstone. He developed multiple national champions and outstanding fighters, including Chad Dawson and Tremaine Williams. Ring One operates as a non-profit, with a focus on helping the area youth develop not only in their sport, but in their lives and for their community. In 2018, Brian was inducted into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. Brian never had children of his own, but touched the lives of hundreds of children with his coaching and his gifts of giving to his community. Brian was known for buying bikes and giving them to youth in the New Haven area, who may not have the opportunity to purchase one for themselves. He also ran a free backpack and school supply event each year for area students. When remembering Brian, please remember the good things he did for the community and carry this on for him. Brian is survived by his parents Walter E. Clark III of Orange, CT, and Cynthia P. Clark of Webster, MA. He also leaves his brother Walter (Beau) Clark IV and his wife Jen, his sister Christie Clark and her partner David Hagan. Brian’s nieces and nephews John, Tim, Patrick (godson) and his partner Justyna , Mackenzie Deary, Sarah Curren and her husband Jamie, and Bob Thompson will miss him dearly. He is also survived by his Aunt Cherrie, his former wife Nephateria Miller, and his seven cousins. He was also a great-uncle to Remington and Francis Deary and Laurel and Lachlan Curren. His very best friends Jill Lohse (husband Mike) and Dale DiBenedetto will always hold Brian’s memory close to their hearts. Brian had a soft spot for his furry family members. Many years ago, Molson, his incredible golden retriever, was his constant companion. Molson would sit by the door of the health food store where Brian formerly worked and greet the customers while he waited for his person to complete his day. He leaves his two rottweilers, Musa and Sage, earthside. Brian will always be remembered for his kindness, his youthful spirit, his coaching accomplishments, and being a kind and caring friend and family member. We couldn’t have asked for a better person to be put on this earth. Brian will be missed by so many but he will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him. A Memorial Service will be on Saturday, February 7 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Cody White Funeral Home at 107 Broad St, Milford, CT 06460. Military Honors and Sharing of Memories will begin at 4 p.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Haven PAL (Youth programs) at https://newhavenpal.com/donate/ in memory of Brian Clark. Please be sure to click one of the 2 Donate buttons. The QR code as of now is an old Venmo account. To light a candle or leave a condolence in his memory, please visit www.CodyWhiteFuneralService.com The post Ringside Vigil Honors Beloved Boxing Coach appeared first on New Haven Independent. ...read more read less