Latest news with #charityfight
BBC News
a day ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Safeguards 'non-existent' when kickboxer, 15, died
A 15-year-old three-time world kickboxing champion died from a severe traumatic brain injury after an unsanctioned fight which had no safeguards, a coroner has ruled. Alex Eastwood suddenly collapsed after the charity bout in Wigan against a 17-year-old opponent and died three days later, on 29 June last Michael Pemberton said the fight was unsanctioned and the safeguards that were meant to exist "simply didn't". He described the regulation of kickboxing as "chaotic and disjointed".He said emergency services did everything they could to try and save Alex. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Team GB hopeful kickboxer, 15, died three days after head injury suffered in ‘unsanctioned' fight as dad pays tribute
A TEENAGE kickboxer tipped as a future Team GB athlete died three days after suffering a head injury in a charity fight. Alex Eastwood, 15, tragically passed away from the injuries he sustained during the kickboxing event on June 29 last year. 4 4 4 The teenager was rushed to hospital after collapsing during the unsanctioned bout at a kickboxing gym in Wigan, Lancashire. It is understood that, if the fight had been sanctioned by kickboxing authorities, the two boys would not have been allowed to fight one another. Alex was taken to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, where a CT scan revealed he had suffered a brain bleed. He was placed into an induced coma and later transferred to Manchester Children's Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, his condition worsened and he tragically died a short time later in hospital on July 2. Giving a heartfelt tribute at Alex's inquest, his father Stephen Eastwood praised him as a "beautiful soul". Speaking at Bolton Coroner's Court, he said: "He was a lovely boy. "I'd just like people to remember him as the wonderful, beautiful soul that he was. "He was a beautiful, beautiful soul and I want everybody to know that." Talented Alex was a member of the Hurricane Combat and Fitness club, where he achieved a black belt in kickboxing. The teen sensation was due to compete in the World Championships in Portugal in October 2024, having already secured six wins during his burgeoning career. Mr Eastwood recounted the horrifying moment Alex collapsed in the ring and "slumped over the ropes". Bodybuilder dies aged 30 after collapsing during competition as horrified spectators look on He added: "If I recall correctly, his head guard came loose a few times in the second round. "I did shout at him a few times because it had come loose in that round. "At the end of the fight he was holding onto one of the ropes, head down. "We knew he had lost the fight. He turned to face the corner of the ring. "The opponent approached to shake Alex's hand. Alex just made a gesture. "Within seconds, Alex walked to the ropes, started punching the air, and slumped over." The match he participated in consisted of three two-minute, light contact rounds. But it did not have official sanctioning by a UK kickboxing authority. Representing Alex's family, barrister Adam Korn said: "Had this been a sanctioned event, these boys would never have been put in the ring together." 4
BBC News
4 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Alex Eastwood: Kickboxer, 15, died after charity bout, inquest told
The father of a 15-year-old three-time world kickboxing champion from Liverpool has paid tribute to his "lovely boy with a beautiful soul" as an inquest into his death Eastwood died three days after a charity fight in Wigan, Greater Manchester, on 29 June last he gave evidence on the hearing's opening day, Steven Eastwood, 40, described "chaotic scenes" at the bout at the TKMA Gym in the at Bolton Coroner's Court, Mr Eastwood said treatment by first aiders and coaches was "nowhere near adequate" and it was "far too long" before his son received oxygen. Alex, who had just finished his GCSEs, fought three rounds before becoming seriously to Coroner Michael Pemberton, Mr Eastwood said he "shouted that his son's head guard had come loose" in the second round, which was court heard how Mr Eastwood noticed his son's movements had become "slower" and he was "holding the rope" in the third round. By the end of the fight he said his son was "swaying" and "punching thin air". The court heard how the "unsanctioned" independent fight was held on a hot summer's day."He was breathing like a big bulldog, struggling," Mr Eastwood told the court."I cried three times for help before taking matters into my own hands."The court heard Mr Eastwood had jumped into the ring before putting his son into the recovery Eastwood told the inquest first aiders and an officiary judge believed he "was just tired".A scan at Wigan's Royal Albert Edward Infirmary showed he had a significant bleed on the brain and, despite surgery at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, his condition deteriorated and he was declared dead on 2 July 2024. 'Punching thin air' Coroner Mr Pemberton said at a pre-inquest review hearing he was concerned there was no regulatory guidance in terms of any child combat sports and took the unusual step of issuing a prevention of death report to Hurricane Combat & Fitness, Kickboxing GB, UK Sport and the Children's Commissioner for wrote he was concerned for children participating in the sport if there was no minimum standard of what medical support may be required, no limit on the number of rounds, or periods of also raised concerns over a lack of welfare checks and no risk assessment and critical incident at the inquest, Gordon Mitchell from Kickboxing GB said it was an independent fight and that many unsanctioned events are run by promoters across the a statement, Kickboxing GB said although the governing body was not involved in this event it had provided evidence to assist the coroner's Secretary and MP for Wigan Lisa Nandy said the safety of those participating in the sport "has to be paramount" and she had asked Sport England to work with the Martial Arts Safeguarding Group and other relevant combat sport stakeholders "on this vital issue."The inquest resumes on Tuesday. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
