The long fight is over for former Canadian boxing champion Ralph Hollett.

The former Canadian middleweight titleholder was a fixture on the Halifax fight scene in the 1970s and early 1980s.

Hollett was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour two years ago and he passed away late Thursday night after a long battle.

Journalist and boxing fan John Soosaar says he remembers a powerful puncher when Hollett claimed the national championship against Fernand Marcotte in 1980.

"He was certainly rugged and could take it and dish it out, no question," says Soosaar.

Hollett started out as a kickboxer before switching to boxing at the age of 25.

He was known as a rugged brawler who finished with a professional record of 19 wins, 10 losses and one draw.

"We started sparring together in the early seventies," says former boxer and businessman Mickey MacDonald. "We started working out together a little bit, and he went on to great things. Ralph went on to become the Canadian kickboxing champ, he got into MMA when it first appeared on the scene."

Hollett also spent many years working for the Nova Scotia correctional system. Flags at the jail in Burnside flew at half-mast Friday in his memory.

Coun. Gloria McCluskey knew Hollett through her late husband, who was also a boxing trainer.

"Tom trained many boxers over the years, but some of them wouldn't do what he asked them to do, but I think Ralph was the kind that was very committed and Tom was very satisfied with the training," says McCluskey.

Ralph fought his hardest in the last few years against the brain tumour that took his life. While he was known for his tough exterior, he was also known for being a nice guy.

"In the ring and in the gym and everything else, he was very cordial with everybody and a lot of people looked up to him," says MacDonald.

"I think he was a good father and he was a good friend and to me he seemed like a very caring person," says McCluskey.

Hollett is survived by his common-law wife and four children, including his son Roger Hollett, who is a professional mixed martial artist.

He was 59 years old.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ron Shaw