Scott Westgarth : Boxer’s death leaves promoter grief-stricken

Promoter Carl Greaves said he had been left devastated by the death of boxer Scott Westgarth.

The 31-year-old died in hospital after falling ill in the aftermath of his light-heavyweight victory over Dec Spelman, who is managed by Greaves, at Doncaster on Saturday.

Westgarth was awarded a points victory over Spelman in the eliminator bout, but appeared to be in pain during post-fight interviews and was then taken to hospital after falling ill backstage.

Greaves, 41, of Newark, who was ringside said he could not believe what had happened and was grief-stricken.

“For me, it Is heartbreaking,” he said. “When you are in boxing you don’t expect anything like this to happen.

“However, it does happen and boxers put their lives at risk every time they go out there.

“When it happens to somebody you are involved with it is devastating and you cannot get your head round it.”

“My thoughts are with all Scott’s family.”

'It puts things into perspective'

Greaves said it was not the first time he had seen tragedy in the sport first-hand, and it made him think hard about his involvement in boxing.

“It puts things into perspective and sometimes I think to myself if I could do something else then I would,” he said.

“But boxing has been a big part of my life. I started when I was 11 and have been involved for 30 years with every single fight you can imagine.

“This is the third time I have been involved in something like this. I have always been in the opposite corner to where the tragedy has happened and it makes it hard to swallow.

“I have three promotions coming up in the next three weeks but right now it is hard to get my head around what has happened.”

Dec Spelman, who had been undefeated professionally until Saturday, is from Scunthorpe.

He trains with Greaves in Newark four times a week.

“Dec came over to me the other day and we both broke down,” said Greaves. “For him it probably won’t sink in until the funeral.

“It was a brutal and tough fight and there were punches to the head, but unfortunately something like this can happen.

“Dec is one of the nicest lads you will ever meet. This won’t be easy for him but I will support him in whatever he decides to do.”