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The tragic death of Michael Norgrove last Saturday provided a stark reminder to all in the boxing community of the inherent dangers that exist in our sport and the risks that all boxers undertake whilst providing entertainment for others.
It was the first British fatality to occur in a professional ring since 1995 when Lanarkshire bantamweight James Murray tragically lost his life during a British title challenge.
Subsequent safeguards were introduced and great strides have been made since fighters such as Michael Watson and Gerald McClellan incurred injuries that dramatically changed their lives for the worse in the 1990s.
Such a tragedy must never be trivialised but Norgrove's passing was almost inexplicable.
Our Board of Control is generally accepted as the standard bearer for medical provision across the globe yet the Zambian born light-middleweight had passed all their stringent scans and examinations.
As his six round contest at the historic Ring venue in Blackfriars was a non-title affair, the 31 year old wasn't required to dehydrate to make weight and he'd endured nominal punishment in a contest he was comfortably winning.
However, in round five vigilant referee Jeff Hinds identified that the 'Zambezi Hitman' had begun to move erratically. Hinds immediately halted the contest and summoned the paramedics at ringside – a mandatory requirement at every pro boxing event.
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It was the first British fatality to occur in a professional ring since 1995 when Lanarkshire bantamweight James Murray tragically lost his life during a British title challenge.
Subsequent safeguards were introduced and great strides have been made since fighters such as Michael Watson and Gerald McClellan incurred injuries that dramatically changed their lives for the worse in the 1990s.
Such a tragedy must never be trivialised but Norgrove's passing was almost inexplicable.
Our Board of Control is generally accepted as the standard bearer for medical provision across the globe yet the Zambian born light-middleweight had passed all their stringent scans and examinations.
As his six round contest at the historic Ring venue in Blackfriars was a non-title affair, the 31 year old wasn't required to dehydrate to make weight and he'd endured nominal punishment in a contest he was comfortably winning.
However, in round five vigilant referee Jeff Hinds identified that the 'Zambezi Hitman' had begun to move erratically. Hinds immediately halted the contest and summoned the paramedics at ringside – a mandatory requirement at every pro boxing event.
[Click Here To Read More]
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