Boxer offers condolences to Hague family

EDMONTON Boxer Adam Braidwood fought back tears in a video statement where he offered condolences to the family of Tim Hague, who died after losing to the former CFL player in a heavyweight boxing match on Friday.

“I spoke to the Hague family in private and offered my condolences and I wanted to do the same now publicly,” Braidwood said in the post on his Instagram account. “I want to thank everyone for their support, all the kind words. It makes a big difference. This is really hard.”

Hague taught Grade 4 English at Ecole Bellevue School in Beaumont, Alta., south of Edmonton.

“All the theatrics leading up to this (bout) — Tim and I were friends,” Braidwood said. “We spoke beforehand. We just wanted to make a beautiful fight for everyone and that’s what this was all about.

“It’s one of those things that everybody saw me celebrating, but nobody saw me pick up Tim and carry him to the corner and tell him that I love him.”

Hague (1-3 as a boxer, 21-13 in MMA) accepted the fight on only two weeks’ notice. He was knocked down three times in the first round against Braidwood (8-1) and referee Len Koivisto stopped the bout after two more knock-downs in the second round.

The Edmonton Combative Sports Commission and the City of Edmonton are conducting reviews of the bout.

A family member of Hague’s has started a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for funeral expenses.

“I just want everyone to try to help Tim’s family,” Braidwood said. “That’s what this should really be about. Instead of leaving a comment, contact his family. I know they set up an account. Help them any way that you can and let’s try to leave it at that. And you know, nobody wanted this.”

Hague was knocked out in a previous boxing match in December.