Light-heavyweight boxer Scott Westgarth died at age 31 Saturday night after collapsing in his dressing room following a victory over Dec Spelman in Doncaster, England.
Spelman — who suffered his first career defeat Saturday — said he was “absolutely heartbroken and lost for words” about the death of his opponent, a fellow Brit.
Westgarth’s promoter Stefy Bull wrote on Twitter: “To promote a boxing show and a young man doing a job he loves losing his life, I have no words. RIP lad thoughts go out to your family and your team, it’s been the hardest few days I’ve had to endure.”
Westgarth — regarded as the underdog for the bout with Spelman — had a record before that fight of six wins, two losses and a draw. He seemed in severe pain following his win on Saturday.
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Boxing legend Ricky Hatton was among the many people to pay tribute to Westgarth following his death:
“Heartbreaking this,” wrote Hatton. “Thoughts to his friends and family. And to anyone involved in the show. Rest in peace young man x.”
A GoFundMe page was created Monday to collect donations for Westgarth’s family.
“I do it for fun, not because I think I’m going to be a world-class fighter,” Westgarth said of boxing, according to the tabloid The Sun. “I just do it purely for entertainment and I’m glad we can put on a show and keep everybody entertained.”
Here are other social media tributes to Westgarth:
A headline fight featuring former soccer star Curtis Woodhouse was subsequently cancelled after news broke of Westgarth’s struggles.
Westgarth didn’t start boxing until he was 24. He previously worked as a ski instructor and as a chef at Sheffield’s Royal Victoria Holiday Inn.
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