SECONDSOUT Sport in shock as top boxer dies at 31
TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR FIGHTER WESTGARTH AS BOUT ENDS IN TRAGEDY
NORTH EAST boxing is mourning the tragic death of one of its own.
Scott Westgarth, 31, died after being rushed to hospital following his victory in an English title eliminator bout at the Doncaster Dome.
He collapsed shortly after giving a victorious press conference, overjoyed after his hard-earned points win against local favourite Dec Spellman.
Born in Prudhoe and son of former heavyweight boxer John Westgarth, Scott had moved down to Sheffield to further his career.
His death has stunned the sport as tributes have poured in.
Ex-British cruiserweight champion Jon-Lewis Dickinson said: “I’m so sad to hear of Scott Westgarth passing after his fight on Saturday night. Thirty-one years old, the same age as myself RIP.”
Newcastle promoter Steve Wraith added: “It’s tragic news and our thoughts are with his family at this time.
“Being a local lad we did try and get him up here to fight but now, sadly, that will never happen.”
Phil Jeffries, from Sunderland, said he is “gutted”, adding: “My thoughts and prayers to his family. Our sport can be such a cruel game at times and I’m so sad at hearing this news.”
Mainstream promoters Dennis Hobson and Eddie Hearn also passed on their condolences.
Hobson said he was “lost for words, RIP Scott,” while Hearn saidd: “Our thoughts and condolences with the family of Scott Westgarth, may he rest in peace.”
The Westgarth family have been at the heart of North East boxing for years.
John Westgarth fought the area’s only ever world champion Glenn McCrory at heavyweight before McCrory dropped down a weight to gain international fame and Scott, like his dad, was a hugely likeable and talented boxer. BIRTLEY’S Josh Robson, a three-time national champion, was crowned Area Junior champion at Sports Domes Seaton Carew to make up for missing out last year.
Robson couldn’t take part last season because of injury, but he scorched to a unanimous victory over A Lawson of Sunderland ABC in Class One at 46kg.
“Josh is a top talent when on his game and he started off hitting Lawson with good backhands, keeping it up for the remainder of the opening round,” said Birtley coach Graeme Rutherford.
“However, Lawson was a game kid and tried to up the tempo but the more he came the more he got hit with backhands.
“Josh also worked well inside and the last was a particularly good round as he seemed to finally get into his stride, something which maybe was missing in his three bouts this season due to him being inactive.
“He got the win by a unanimous decision in a classy display reminiscent of his displays a year ago.”
Robson is now through to the quarter-finals on March 18 against Yorkshire at the same venue.
Birtley had nine entries in the Junior championships but only two boxed due to byes.
Ali Shah defeated L Huntley from Wakefield at 54kg Class Two in a regional semi-final required because of four entries in the weight group.
“Shah, who has had a few tight decisions go against him, was determined not to let it happen again and he started at a fast pace, catching Huntley with good right hands,” said Rutherford.
“In the second and third he pinned his opponent with straight shots down the middle to run out a unanimous winner and he will now fight Cameron Ormonde from Perth Green on Wednesday night.”
Birtley’s Dan Toward became Youth champion at the Doncaster Dome to claim his second title this season following his NABC success.
Toward took the 69kg Class One title, defeating Leon Musson from Sheffield on unanimous points in his final despite suffering a burst eardrum in the last round.