Champion kickboxer, 15, collapsed minutes after fight and died in hospital – as family pay heartbreaking tribute
HEARTBREAKING tributes have poured in for a teenage kickboxing champion who collapsed after a fight and died in hospital.
Alex Eastwood, 15, passed away after suffering a head injury in an unsanctioned kickboxing fight.
Talented Alex was a member of the Hurricane Combat and Fitness club, where he achieved a black belt in kickboxing.
He was due to compete in the kickboxing World Championships in Portugal in October 2024, having already secured six wins during his burgeoning career.
Alex had fought three individual rounds of a bout at a kickboxing gym in Platt Bridge, Wigan, before becoming seriously unwell on June 29 2024.
He was taken to Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan, where a CT scan revealed he had suffered a brain bleed.
Alex tragically underwent surgery but died a short time later in hospital on July 2.
A coroner has now urged the government to introduce more protection for children in combat sports at a pre-inquest review into Alex’s death.
Coroner Michael Pemberton called for new regulations and has indicated he will issues a Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) report to the government.
Alex’s family said: “We welcome the coroner’s decision to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report highlighting the serious safeguarding issues surrounding child combat sports.
“This is an important step towards ensuring that no other family has to suffer the heartbreak that we have endured following Alex’s tragic death.
“We are grateful to the coroner for recognising the importance of addressing the lack of regulation and oversight in child combat sports, and we hope that his findings will lead to meaningful changes in safeguarding measures to better protect young athletes like Alex.
“As a family, we remain committed to uncovering the full circumstances surrounding Alex’s death and look forward to the forthcoming inquest, where we hope to obtain further answers and accountability.
“Alex’s legacy must be one of change, and we will continue to push for greater protections for children taking part in combat sports.
“We would once again like to thank the coroner and our legal team for their ongoing support during this difficult time.”
HM assistant Coroner Michael Pemberton said: “I’m concerned there appears to be no regulatory guidance in terms of any child combat sports.
“In terms of children’s participation in any of these activities, there appears to be no basic framework upon which individual clubs or parents can assess the risk that may be apparent in that activity, and the management of that risk.
“I’m minded to make a Regulation 28 report. I will take steps to provide that prior to the inquest.”
The full inquest is expected to be held over four days in June 2025.
Alex’s family are represented by Thomas Jervis and Jill Paterson, personal injury solicitors at law firm Leigh Day.
Paterson said: “The coroner’s decision to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report is a critical step in addressing what appear to be clear gaps in safeguarding within child combat sports.
“Alex’s death has brought into sharp focus the urgent need for robust safety measures and oversight in these sports to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
“We will continue to support Alex’s family as they seek answers and push for meaningful changes to better protect young people participating in combat sports.”