Teen Dies After Unsanctioned Wigan Kickboxing Match

Fifteen-year-old Alex Eastwood, a promising kickboxer from Liverpool, died after suffering a fatal head injury during an unsanctioned 'light contact' charity kickboxing match in Wigan on June 29, 2024. His father, Stephen Eastwood, described chaotic scenes, including a delayed medical response and inadequate safety measures, and mourned the loss of his son. The event was not regulated by Kickboxing GB, the UK's main governing body, and lacked clear safety protocols. Coroner Michael Pemberton raised serious concerns over the absence of regulatory oversight in children's combat sports and issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report to government agencies. The tragedy has intensified calls for minimum safety standards and clearer rules in youth combat sports. The incident has sparked renewed debate about the risks faced by young participants in unsanctioned sporting events.