Andy Lee believes that the death of boxer Scott Westgarth last weekend serves as a stark reminder to all boxers about the risks of the sport. Joining Eoin and Ger on OTB:AM this morning, the former world middleweight champion was in reflective mood, after Scott’s death on Monday morning.
“He wouldn’t have been on the huge circuit of high-profile fights. Just a guy who was doing what he loved and paid the ultimate price.
“A guy has lost his life, and no sport should cost that much. Everyone knows when you go into the ring, you know the risks. It’s just a terrible, terrible situation.”
Andy also spoke about the levels of competition in the sport, even among fans, perhaps contributing to a situation where boxers are putting themselves through insufferable injury.
“If I’m in the crowd, I’m baying for blood myself. I don’t want to see a fight end in points – for me, I always want to see a fight end in a knockout. That’s why I go to watch fights.
“Playing or competing in any sport shouldn’t cost you your life. But these are things you accept when you step into the ring – the risks that you know are involved.
Scott’s death is the latest in a recent spate of deaths in British boxing.
“He’s the third British boxer to die after a fight since 2013. All of those guys were good, young fighters – two of them were undefeated. They weren’t journeymen.
“It’s a stark reminder for all the boxers out there how dangerous the sport is. On a personal level, it’s just another reason to be happy about my retirement.”
