Ricky Hatton backs calls for kickboxing to be made safer after 15 year old dies in unofficial match
Alex Eastwood, from Liverpool, was a world champion with five gold medals and had fought in hundreds of matches during his career, including the World Kickboxing Championship in Orlando in 2023.
He was due to travel to Portugal to represent Great Britain.
But in June last year the sport he loved cost him his life.
Alex had fought three individual rounds of a bout at a kickboxing gym in Platt Bridge, Wigan on June 29, 2024 before becoming seriously unwell.
His father Stephen Eastwood was watching and knew straight away that something was wrong.
"It was just a chaotic scenario": Alex's dad Stephen Eastwood recounts running into the ring to help his son
He was taken to Royal Albert Edward infirmary in Wigan and then transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital (RMCH) after he was found to have a bleed on the brain.
Alex underwent surgery but died in hospital on July 2, 2024.
Today an inquest into his death found that Alex died through misadventure.
Coroner Michael Pemberton also said neither Alex, nor his parents appreciated the dangers of the 'chaotic and somewhat disjointed' approach to children involved in combat sports.
The coroner cited the lack of minimum standards around combat sports and said the planning and lack of risk assessment before the fatal bout was 'sub optimal'.
The fight was unofficial or unsanctioned which means organisers weren't obliged to meet stringent safety measures met by Kickboxing GB - the sport's main governing body
Alex's family, who live in Fazakerley in Liverpool, say more needs to be done to improve safety for children taking part in contact sports like kickboxing, and that both official and unofficial matches should be obliged to meet a minimum standard.
Mr Eastwood met with Ricky Hatton at the two-weight champion's gym in Hyde.
Hatton kickboxed as a child before realising boxing was his true talent and believes that in any fighting sport involving children the safety of fighters must be paramount.
What safety guidelines are currently in place for contact sports involving children?
Ahead of the inquest HM assistant coroner Michale Pemberton raised concerns over a lack of regulatory framework or guidance in terms of any child contact sports.
He took the unusual step of sending a Prevention of Future Death (PFD) to Lisa Nandy, the Secretary of State for Digital Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).
Contact sports such as boxing, kickboxing and MMA aren't legally required to meet a minimum standard when it comes to official or unofficial matches where physical force may be used between or against a child participant.
Official matches will be governed by individual sport associations such as Kickboxing GB or England Boxing.
However, if a match is unofficial or unsanctioned, there is no guideline of what minimum standard must be met to provide safeguarding for a child participant.
That means arrangements for each and every contact sport contest involving a child is left to the judgement of an organiser which includes:
Ian Hollett from Hurricane Combat and Fitness, Alex's kickboxing club responded to the inquest's findings.
He said: 'We are utterly devastated by the loss of Alex who truly was a wonderful, kind and exceptionally talented boy.
"He was a beautiful and loving soul who was the epitome of excellence, humility and generosity. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and we are deeply sorry for their loss.
"We thank the coroner for his thorough investigation and fully welcome any recommendations made that will help prevent another tragedy like this happening again.'
David Pearson a solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter, who is representing the club said: 'This unimaginable tragedy has brought into sharp focus the need for further regulation in all combat sports involving children across the country.
"We would welcome any future recommendations made.'
What do Kickboxing GB say?
A spokesperson for Kickboxing GB said: 'Following the Inquest this week into the tragic death of Alex Eastwood, the thoughts and sympathies of Kickboxing GB are with Alex's family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
"The Inquest has heard just how talented a kickboxer Alex was, and how much of a loss his family and friends have suffered.
"Whilst the event which Alex attended was not a Kickboxing GB sanctioned event, we have provided assistance to the Coroner throughout this Inquest and we welcome his findings.
"Kickboxing GB remains committed to ensuring that participation in the sport is as safe as possible and will consider the findings of the Coroner carefully and review policies and procedures accordingly."
What does the government say?
The government says it's not their job to directly regulate sport.
Responding to the Prevention of Future deaths report Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Alexander's family and friends.
"The safety of those participating in sport has to be paramount.
"Whilst the government does not, and should not, directly regulate sport it is clear lessons must be learned.
"My Department is exploring ways to improve the safety and welfare of children in martial arts and I have asked Sport England to work with the Martial Arts Safeguarding Group and other relevant combat sport stakeholders on this vital issue."
What do Sport England say?
Sport England are the arms-length body of government responsible for growing and developing grassroots sport.
They aren't regulators themselves but do work with many national governing bodies to ensure high safeguarding standards are embedded across the sector.
In a statement they told ITV News: 'We extend our deepest sympathies to Alexander's loved ones.
"This tragic loss is a reminder to anyone taking part in or organising events that safety in sport must be the number-one priority.
"Sport England is not a regulator of sport, but we work with many national governing bodies to ensure high safeguarding standards are embedded across the sector.
"Sadly, unregulated activities which are not sanctioned by a governing body can be dangerous, and lessons must be learned.
"As part of the Martial Arts Safeguarding Group, which was formed in 2018, we work with combat governing bodies and the NSPCC's Child Protection in Sport Unit.
"As part of this, the group is looking to develop and build on existing educational resources to empower parents and carers with the questions to ask when their child is taking part in any event or competition.'
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