Emotional farewells were said at the funeral mass for a young boxer who tragically died after his first fight.

Eastern Daily Press: Kuba Moczyk. Picture: Magdalena MoczykKuba Moczyk. Picture: Magdalena Moczyk (Image: Picture: Magdalena Moczyk)

The mass was held at St Mary's RC Church in Great Yarmouth for Jakub Moczyk, 22, as family and friends from the UK and Poland turned up to pay their respects and say goodbye to the Polish-born fighter.

They were joined by fellow boxers and people from the boxing community, who also paid their respects to Jakub - known to friends and family as Kuba.

More than 200 people attended the 10am service, at which Bible readings were given in both English and his native Polish.

Father Phillip Shyrane, who led the ceremony, said: 'Kuba was born in Poland and went to primary school there, before moving to England where he attended college. He had several jobs here, cleaning, at the New Beach Hotel and later at a factory.

'But it was boxing that was his life - training, running, sparring and working at Lenny Boy's Gym, which became like family to him.

'He was shy and quiet at first, and very gentle and respectful. He was a young man with a good, warm heart and had so much to give.'

Kuba's body was taken into the church to a piece of music called 'Ofiaruje Tobie Pane Moj', one of his favourites, accompanied by members of his family.

His family tribute was read in Polish by Marcin Smigaj, his uncle, who also translated Bible readings throughout the service.

Kuba had been competing in an event at the Atlantis Arena in Great Yarmouth when in the third round of his fight a solid punch knocked him unconscious.

He was then taken to the James Paget University Hospital and placed on life support, but was pronounced clinically dead on November 21,

He would have turned 23 last Sunday, a birthday he shared with twin sister Magdalena, who had set up a fundraising page to raise money for specialist treatment abroad.

Last week, an inquest heard that he had donated his heart to help others, with a full inquest scheduled for May 3, 2017.

After the church service, a second service followed at Gorleston Crematorium, with the family wishing to spread his ashes in his hometown of Smigiel.