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 year.

Coroner 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.

Mr Pemberton, who returned a finding of misadventure, had already taken the unusual step of writing a Prevention of Future Death Report airing his concerns about a lack of regulatory guidance in terms of any child combat sports.

He said: “During the course of this hearing the evidence has reflected a chaotic and somewhat disjointed approach in which I’m not satisfied participants or parents are made fully aware of the risks that may ensue.”

Alex, who had just finished his GCSEs, fought three rounds at the TKMA Gym before becoming seriously unwell.

The coroner addressed the boy’s parents who were in court, saying: “The circumstances of this tragic case have left many numb.

“I’m sure there will be an encore of issues to seek changes on as part of his legacy.”

Mr Pemberton referred to the lack of pre-bout meeting between the fighters, referee and coaches to lay down the “ground rules” for the bout.

He said: “The planning of the event and lack of risk assessment was sub-optimal in this regard.”