Coroner calls for review of white-collar boxing
A coroner will write to the culture secretary to call for a review of white-collar boxing matches after the death of a man in an event in Worcester.
Dominic Chapman, 26, died from a “single catastrophic punch” to the head in a bout at Tramps nightclub in April 2022, an inquest at Worcestershire Coroners' Court heard.
Worcestershire coroner David Reid ruled he died of a “traumatic brain injury”.
He said he would ask the minister to “consider whether steps need to be taken” to regulate the sport.
Professor Peter Whitfield, a consultant neurological surgeon, told the inquest on Wednesday Mr Chapman had been “very unlucky”.
He described the punch as “catastrophic” and said it was likely to have torn a blood vessel and caused a brain injury.
“One punch seemed to have such devastating effects - I feel incredibly sorry for his family and friends, and the other boxer,” he said.
'Tragic loss'
Mr Chapman was the third person to have died taking part in a white-collar boxing match since 2017, the inquest heard.
The coroner said the company which staged the event, Ultra Events Limited, would receive a prevention of future deaths report requiring them to take measures to make their events safer.
After the inquest, Sarah Owen, a solicitor who represented the family, said they were saddened that it had taken "the tragic loss of their son and a coroner’s inquest for the serious failings of Ultra Events to be recognised".
"Dominic’s family want people to understand this before they agree to take part in similar events and they want to see safety improvements implemented to make white-collar boxing safer for everyone," she added.
Jon Leonard, director of Ultra Events, said Mr Chapman had attended 13 of 16 free boxing training sessions ahead of the bout.
He told the coroner that despite missing some of the sessions, he was "happy" Mr Chapman was ready for the fight and that his opponent was "a fair match".
Mr Leonard also said Mr Chapman had signed paperwork stating he was "happy" with his opponent.
"Brain injuries are incredibly rare - we have been running these events for 15 years now," he added.
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