The news of Blake’s death sent shockwaves through the Wagga community yesterday after he died of a heart attack while holidaying at the Gold Coast on Thursday. 

Blake was well known in the boxing community, most notably as the trainer of Wagga’s top boxer Anthony McCracken.

A former amateur boxer, Blake took great pride in training a number of athletes and had a handful of boxers under his tutelage prior to his death.

McCracken spent 11 years in Blake’s camp and said he will dearly missed.

“It’s sent ripples through town,” McCracken said yesterday.

“It’s not just here but Australia wide. He knew some of the biggest guys in Australian boxing.”

Blake was aged 56 and is survived by an ex-wife and two daughters.

“The whole boxing fraternity is going to miss him and there is probably going to be a quite a few turn up to see him off.”