SEE YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE
The boxing community turns out in force to say goodbye to Scott Westgarth, writes Andy Whittle
IN the peaceful countryside surrounds of Grenoside on the very edge of Sheffield, family, friends and the boxing community too, gathered to say their farewells and to pay their respects to light-heavyweight Scott Westgarth who passed away following a 10-round points victory over Doc Spelman on February 24.
A measure of Scott’s popularity can be gleaned from the fact that several hundred were present at the Yorkshire crematorium inside which they squeezed, standing three or four deep at the rear, to hear the service.
Among those present on Friday June 1 was a huge contingent from the Sheffield Boxing Centre out of which Prudhoe native Scott boxed, all of them clad in black and white T-shirts with the words ‘Team Westgarth’ on the reverse. Other mourners were General Secretary of the BBBOFC Robert Smith and former world champion Glenn Mccrory who, during his own paid career, had boxed Scott’s father John.
Brother Adam, told not only of Scott’s mischievousness as a youngster and of how close he and his brother had been but also of the love Scott had for his family, his devoted partner Natalie and for his grandparents and there were tales of travel together too, of missed holiday coaches and of windsurfing, of a willingness to help others, of countless hours spent playing computer games and of supporting Newcastle United (a signed Newcastle shirt lay beside flowers on the coffin).
Adam also read from an NHS letter which detailed those who had been helped due to Scott having been an organ donor.
Two people, a lady and a gentleman, had each recieved undergone kidney transplants, a young man had had a pancreas transplant, another in his 20’s had benefited from a double lung transplant whilst a man in his 50’s had recieved a new heart. Inspiring stuff indeed.
Younger brother Lewis drew applause from the attendees at the end of a short speech during which he thanked everyone for their support, proof he told, of how wonderful a light Scott had been in everyone’s lives.
A visibly emotional Glyn Rhodes MBE, Westgarth’s trainer, read a poem, written by ex-pro Andy Manning who now coaches at the Sheffield Boxing Centre, entitled ‘The 11th Round’ which told of a new team now being ready to take care of Scott in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Following the funeral there was a celebration of Scott’s life held at Sheffield’s Royal Victoria Holiday Inn Hotel, where he had worked as a chef.
Two days after the funeral, on Sunday June 3, a fun day held at Hillsborough Arena attracted hundreds of visitors, with all money raised going to Natalie.