Teen fighter collapses and dies after bout

TRIBUTES have poured in for a teenage boxer who died after collapsing in the ring.

Eddie Bilbey, 17, slumped to the canvas seconds after the end of his amateur bout.

Doctors tried to resuscitate him and he was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead on arrival.

A witness said the talented youngster did not take any “hard punches” during the bout

The tragedy happened following the fight at Postmill Centre in South Normanton, Derbys, on Friday night.

Eddie, who was a member of nearby Somercotes Elite Boxing Academy, had taken part in a contest against pal Tyler Rivers.

Craig Perkins, head coach of Tyler’s Earl Shilton Boxing Academy, said the club was “devastated”.

Craig, from Leicester, said: “This wasn’t a brutal fight, it was a competitive fight between two well-matched opponents.

“He shook our coach’s hand and then they both went back to the centre of the ring for the decision. Our lad was announced the winner and just as the referee held up his hand, Ed stumbled forward.

“He was falling through the ropes while the referee was holding his hand.

“People realised he wasn’t messing about and that he had actually collapsed. There was a doctor present who gave him CPR and then the paramedics came and took over.”

Eddie’s brother Henry posted a picture on Facebook of the pair together with the caption “Love you”.

Paying tribute, pal John Connolly told him: “He was a mighty fine young man in the making your brother was – a very talented boxer too. My love is with you and all your family.”

Another friend, Cole Langham, added: “Stay strong mate we are all feeling for you and your family. Eddie was a great boxer and will be truly missed.”

Mas Junior wrote: “Sorry about your loss Henry! My thoughts HELENE PERKINS are with you and your family! Sleep tight big Ed! You truly was a top lad.”

And Shaun Brown tweeted: “RIP Eddie Bilbey. Heart goes out to his family and friends.”

Following the fight, a pal said Eddie had “boxed like a bloody trooper”. A family friend, who did not want to be named, said the teenager took no “hard punches” during the contest.

Gianluca Di Caro, chief executive of the British and Irish Boxing Authority, said: “I’m saddened to learn of another tragedy in our sport.

“RIP Eddie Bilbey, and offer my most sincere condolences to his family and friends.”

The sport’s governing body, the Board of England Boxing, said it had sanctioned the event and there would be a police probe.

It added: “We are extremely saddened and would like to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved in this terrible and shocking incident.

“We are also asking all of the England Boxing coaches, officials and volunteers that were present on the night to co-operate with the police investigation and assist the authorities in any way they can.

“We will be providing support to people that have been affected by this terrible news.”

Derbyshire police said officers were not treating Eddie’s death as suspicious at this stage.

A post-mortem examination is due to be held. ‘TOP LAD’: Eddie and, inset below, with brother Henry in the Facebook post