By Terence Dooley
It has been almost five months since Scott Westgarth passed away after collapsing following his upset decision win over Dec Spelman at the Doncaster Dome in February and the former fighter has been commemorated in his hometown of Prudhoe in Northumberland.
Westgarth (7-2-1, 2 KOs) would have turned 32 on July 10, and his family are still coming to terms with his tragic death, but they have told Lisa Hutchinson of the Chronicle Live that his memory will continue to live on in their hearts and via the commemorative seat that has been erected in his honour.
Scott’s mother, Rebecca, was joined at the unveiling by his father John, brothers Adam and Lewis, his sister Bethannie, and Natalie Kerr, his girlfriend, as well as his fans and friends. “I want to thank everyone for coming,” said Rebecca. “I'm so proud that Prudhoe has acknowledged my son. He put Prudhoe on the map.”
A resident of Sheffield prior to his death, Westgarth’s was cremated in the “Steel City” in May and, as you would expect, his family are still coming to terms with the loss.
“I know Scott will be sitting there with me, that's why I had to have the seat facing Prudhoe, so he didn't have his back facing towards the town,” his mother explained. “The seat is in The Glade, near to the Co-op on the Front Street and it's a seat for everyone.
“The plaque on the seat reads 'Every fight is a tough test, it's about preparing to achieve, anything is possible'. He said his last fight was going to be a tough test and he responded on his Twitter and social media afterwards saying that. I'm also having the plaque put outside my front door so I can see it every day.”
Prudhoe’s Town Council played a part by giving the go-ahead for a commemorative seat in a place where people can sit and reflect on his career and passing, they said: “The seat is being installed by Prudhoe Town Council, at the request of Scott's family, to celebrate and honour his life and the achievements he made in his sport.”
Westgarth was on a run of three wins going into his final bout and wanted to emulate his father, who contested the European heavyweight title in 1986, a points loss to Steffen Tangstad, and also fought Herbie Hide and Razor Ruddick. A personal trainer by day to supplement his income, Westgarth helped others in death due to the fact that he had was a registered organ donor, something that his family are especially proud of.
Adam Westgarth is leading a campaign to pass a law that requires on-site brain scanners at all boxing events, you can sign the petition by clicking on the following link: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/216069.
A GoFundMe page was also set up following Westgarth’s death, over £10,000 has been raised thus far and the page is still active for anyone who wishes to make a donation: www.gofundme.com/scott-westgarth.
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