Boxing chiefs would have suspended Towell if they'd known of his seizures
25-year-old Mike Towell died the day after losing a bout in Glasgow.
Last updated 7th Nov 2018
A boxer who died after a fight would have had his licence suspended if the sport’s governing body had known he had suffered seizures, a fatal accident inquiry heard.
Robert Smith, 56, the general secretary of the British Board of Boxing Control (BBBC) said he did not think Mike Towell had been “open and up front”.
Mr Smith confirmed notes of a medical examination Mike had with a qualified doctor appointed by the BBBC in 2014, 2015 and 2016 that he claimed he had not suffered seizures.
The ex-professional boxer said that those involved with Mike who knew of any issues, should have raised them with the board.
He was giving evidence in to the inquiry into the 25-year-old fighter’s death at Glasgow Sheriff Court today.
Mike, from Dundee, died of a bleed on the brain the day after he lost a bout in the fifth round to Welsh fighter Dale Evans on September 29, 2016.
Iron’ Mike, a welterweight fighter, collapsed after his loss to Evans in the British title eliminator at Glasgow’s St Andrews Sporting Club.
He was given medical treatment in the ring before being taken to hospital but died 24 hours later on September 30.
The inquiry heard before a boxer’s licence is granted or renewed they must complete an annual medical examination by a qualified and appointed doctor.
No medical information is sought from the boxer’s own doctor unless it is thought necessary and none was ever requested from Mike’s GP.
The first medical was carried out in 2012, not in 2013 and again in 2014 and the subsequent two years.
The inquiry previously heard Mike suffered seizures in 2013.
When asked in the years following during his medical questionnaire if he had suffered from headaches, blackouts or fits and he said he hadn’t.
Procurator fiscal depute Eileen Beadsworth asked: “What would happen if the BBBC had been aware that Mr Towell suffered from seizures? - we have heard evidence in the inquiry about that.”
Mr Smith replied: “We would suspend his licence and make further investigations. At that point we would have to get permission to write to his GP.”
He also said if the BBBC was made aware of a boxer experiencing headaches in the lead up to a fight, their licence would be suspended then also.
Mrs Beadsworth said the inquiry has heard evidence Mike experienced headaches and extreme pain on a particular day and asked if he would he would expect the BBBC to be told about it.
The witness answered “Yes, I would.”
Mr Smith said he knew Mike died of a bleed to the brain and it was put to him that the dad had suffered a head injury during that fight and that it was on top of an existing “chronic injury” that had been there for a few weeks.
Mrs Beadsworth said: “We may hear that existing chronic injury may well have resolved itself if he hadn’t gone in to the fight.
“We have heard evidence Mr Towell was experiencing headaches prior to the fight and we will hear evidence later about whether these headaches could be related to the existing chronic injury.”
She put to him that nobody told the BBBC about the headaches, which he confirmed was correct.
The inquiry heard that there could be reasons that boxers might not be up front with themselves and others about difficulties they may be facing.
Mr Smith said: “The thing we mustn’t forget, we only licence boxers from 18 upwards.
“We are dealing with adults. This was a young man, a father I understand, if he kept things from people - we are here because of that ultimately, I think everybody involved if they knew of these issues, should have raised them.”
The Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull asked: “From what you know about this case, in relation to Mr Towell, do you think he was open and up front with the board?”
Mr Smith replied: “Unfortunately not.”
The inquiry continues.