After death, calls for crackdown on corporate boxing rules

  • 26/09/2016
49-year-old Neville Knight (R) collapsed and died during an event run by Nabby's Boxing Gym in Hamilton
49-year-old Neville Knight (R) collapsed and died during an event run by Nabby's Boxing Gym in Hamilton

A boxing expert says the sport shouldn't be used for fundraising or entertainment.

It comes after 49-year-old Neville Knight collapsed and died during an event run by Nabby's Boxing Gym in Hamilton on Saturday night.

Amateur International Boxing Association supervisor Keith Walker says the rules for corporate fighters are too loose.

"They have a medical, and then they just register with Boxing New Zealand."

Mr Walker says there's no age limit or weight or experience restrictions for corporate fighters, unlike other events. He is calling for a crackdown on the rules for corporate fighters.

"A lot of the private boxing gyms in New Zealand are taking these people on, training them and running their own corporate events. That's the part that is getting out of hand now."

Mr Walker says corporate fighters are often mismatched and vary widely in age, weight and experience.

"I certainly do not believe you should be just taking organisations and matching them up with other organisations, or putting people in the ring who are certainly over 40."

Newshub.