'SIMPLY the best' played out as the coffin of former boxer Paddy Monaghan was carried out of Our Lady and St Edmund Roman Catholic Church by his family.

The words 'he will always be remembered for' sparked a round of applause from family and friends gathered for the 73-year-old's funeral yesterday.

A close friend of former three-time world heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, Mr Monaghan knew many people from all walks of life who travelled far and wide to Abingdon.

Up to 100 people attended the service with many moving on to Garford Crematorium where Mr Monaghan was then cremated.

Mr Monaghan's wife and four daughters followed his coffin in and out of the church, which was carried by son Tyrone and other family members, as those in attendance bowed their heads.

During the service, hymns and prayers were read to honour Mr Monaghan but despite the sadness of the occasion, there were moments of happiness as stories were told about the colourful character and his time in the ring.

Tyrone, 51, paid tribute to his late father, as he thanked the many people who came over from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales for the service.

During the service, he said: "I could stand and talk all day about my dad.

"He was a loving husband, a fantastic father and a great grandfather.

"He was terrific."

Fans of boxing across the world paid tribute to the father-of-five who died in the John Radcliffe hospital on April 9, having been suffering from ill health for sometime.

A world champion in his own right, bare-knuckle boxer Mr Monaghan had to keep his success a secret.

Born in Ederney, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland, he was raised as a young man in Abingdon and fought at 'The notorious barn' in the town.

Fighting opponents behind closed doors, he had to keep the belts he won under the bed in his Saxton Road council house in Abingdon.

In later life he became close friends with Muhammed Ali, and many in Abingdon will remember the days the greatest boxer of all time came to town.

But while he will be remembered by many for his boxing, the service reflected the important part family play in his life.

At the service, 'When you were sweet sixteen' by The Fureys and Davey Arthur was played. It was a song which Mr Monaghan played for his wife, Sandra, 68, when they married in 1965 when she was aged 16.

He is survived by his wife, and five children, Tyrone, and daughters Clare, 50, Saydee, 45, Belinda, 44 and Sarah, 41.