Derbyshire teenage boxer who collapsed in ring and died had 'chronically over-trained' before fight
A Derbyshire teenager who died moments after a boxing match suffered from a heart condition and had ‘chronically over-trained’, an inquest heard.
Seventeen-year-old Edward Bilbey collapsed in the ring at the Post Mill Centre, South Normanton, on Friday, March 24, 2017, shortly after the three-round bout.
He ‘suddenly’ fell to the floor while waiting for the result of the fight, and later died in hospital despite multiple attempts to save his life.
An inquest at Chesterfield coroners’ court heard his death could have been caused by the underlying heart condition, ‘excessive over-training’ in preparation for his fight or a combination of the two.
There was no evidence Edward had been using performance enhancing drugs.
But the hearing was told Edward would wrap himself in duvets and not take any fluid for lengthy periods in order to get his weight down.
Forensic pathologist Frances Hollingbury said: “While waiting for the results he was standing in the ring and suddenly doubled forward to the ropes.
"He vomited and appeared to have some sort of seizure.”
An ambulance was called at 10.07pm and five attempts were made to save his life using a defibrillator.
Edward, from Ripley, was pronounced dead at 11.20pm at King’s Mill Hospital in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
He had worn head protection throughout the three rounds and no concern was raised about any punches which had landed.
After his death, Edward’s heart was examined by experts who found it was enlarged and had ‘an arc of scarring tissue’ through myocardial fibrosis.
Dr Mark Faghy, a senior lecturer in exercise physiology at the University of Derby, said there was evidence of ‘chronic over-training’ ahead of the bout.
He said Edward had trained during the day at University College Birmingham, where he was undertaking an academic course, and in the evening at Shinfield’s Gym in Alfreton.
Dr Faghy said these ‘multiple influences’ on his training were ‘concerning’.
When asked by coroner Dr Robert Hunter whether Edward’s heart condition and the physiological strain from excessive exercise could act together in a harmful way, Dr Faghy replied ‘yes’.
The coroner issued a warrant for the arrest of the owner of Shinfield’s Gym, Jason Shinfield, to ensure he attends to give evidence.
Edward’s mum Michelle paid tribute to her 'special angel’ after the incident.
The inquest, expected to last five days, continues.