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A champion teenage boxer has been found dead at his home.

Tributes have poured in for popular 16-year-old Macauley Moran from Manchester, who is believed to have taken his own life.

The teenager, who trained with Gorton Amateur Boxing Club and was tipped to become a professional, had become 58kg 2014 champion in the prestigious North West Amateur Boxing Association earlier this year.

His devastated family have told how Macauley, a former pupil at Parrs Wood High School in Didsbury, battled with severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which sometimes lead to depression.

It meant he struggled at school, but he excelled at boxing, despite training less than many other fighters.

Dad Mario Conway, who lives with Macauley’s mum, Sarah Moran, and the couple’s two other sons and two daughters at the family home told the Manchester Evening News : “He was fighting the best in the country and beating them with only putting in 50 per cent of the effort, while everyone else was giving it 110 per cent.

“He could only give it 50 per cent [because of his ADHD] but that was enough.

“You couldn’t tell him about how good he was - people would come from other countries to watch him fight.

“He was outgoing and cheeky.”

Kevin Williams, coach at Gorton Amateur Boxing Club, said: “Macauley was a great individual. He was popular and charismatic.

“It was his heart and his courage and will to win more than anything else which gave him his ability.”

Macauley started boxing around 10, first training at Moss Side Fire Station boxing club then moving to Gorton aged 14.

He won the North West Region title in May and reached the quarter-finals of the national competition, also becoming regional belt holder.

Police confirmed they had been called to a house on Fenhurst Road at 8.10pm yesterday, where the body of a 16-year-old boy was found.

The incident is being treated as a sudden death with no suspicious circumstances.

Manchester Coroner confirmed the death had been recorded with them today.

As news of 16-year-old Macauley Moran’s death broke, hundreds took to social media to pay tribute to the talented young boxer.

Frankie Gavin, British and Commonwealth welterweight champion and former world amateur champion, tweeted: “Gutted to hear the sad news my lil mate @cauleybox has passed away. RIP mate X”

Macauley’s club Gorton ABC tweeted: “Absolutely devastated about the loss of our champion Macauley.

“Words are hard to find. We are all broken hearted.”

A Facebook page ‘RIP Macauley Moran’ was also filled with comments from people paying tribute to the young boxer with likes from more than 1,000 people.

Erin Warden wrote: “So sad. Watched him fight for the title belt. Very talented young man.”

Megan Jane Gallagher added: “Boxing was all he was aiming for as a career, not a day went by without him having to put a word in about his boxing.

“He had high aspirations and dreams.”

Melissa Chloe Stubbs posted: “Such a young age he had his whole life ahead of him.

“RIP Macauley you will always be remembered!”

For emotional support contact Samaritans on 08457 909090 or click here for more details.