Probe into Sheffield boxer's death in February still not concluded

Police are still conducting inquiries almost 200 days after the tragic death of Sheffield Boxing Centre fighter Scott Westgarth.
Scott WestgarthScott Westgarth
Scott Westgarth

Officers are continuing to take statements over the circumstances leading to the tragedy, at Doncaster in February.

A coroner's inquest into the Penistone man will be held once they have concluded their investigation.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is likely police are focusing on events immediately after the 31-year-old's victory over Dec Spelman and his delivery via ambulance to hospital then the subsequent treatment at the Hallamshire Hospital.

Meanwhile, as a direct result of the tragedy, Westgarth's trainer Glyn Rhodes has taken extra security measures at his Hillsborough gym.

He has trained people before for unlicensed boxing and charity "white collar" shows in the past - but has now revised his opinion on doing so.

"The whole landscape has changed for me and now I'm only training boxers affiliated to the British Board or the Amateur Boxing Association,' he said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: 'I am not business of pointing fingers at others, they are entitled to do what they want of course, but I'm not getting involved in it, from now on.

"You can get hurt in boxing - as Scott obviously did - even when you get everything right.

'For me, it's about minimising risks, though. Serious boxing should be regulated and supervised, whether its sparring or in competitions, I think. You need experience in the corners and medical back-up on hand. 

"I'm not saying others shouldn't do unlicensed or white collar, that's their business, I'm just saying things have changed with me and they won't be preparing for it in my gym."