'Catastrophic' punch caused boxing death - expert

Dominic Chapman (left, pictured with his father John) died after taking part in the event in April 2022

A man who died after taking part in a white-collar boxing match was killed by a “catastrophic” punch to the head, according to a brain injury expert.

Dominic Chapman, 26, collapsed after a six-minute bout at Tramps nightclub in Worcester in April 2022 and died two days later.

Professor Peter Whitfield said at an inquest on Wednesday that fatal boxing injuries were “very uncommon” and Mr Chapman had been “very unlucky”.

“One punch seemed to have such devastating effects - I feel incredibly sorry for his family and friends, and the other boxer,” he said.

Mr Chapman’s father John and other boxers who took part in the charity match have also spoken at the inquest at Worcestershire Coroners’ Court last week and this week.

'Bad-luck phenomenon'

Professor Whitfield, a consultant neurological surgeon, said a punch that happened 3 minutes and 59 seconds into the bout was “in all probability” the one that proved fatal.

He described the punch as “catastrophic” and said it was likely to have torn a blood vessel and caused a brain injury.

“It was entirely a bad-luck phenomenon,” he added.

Mr Chapman and other boxers were wearing head-guards for their fights, although his opponent James Bradley told the inquest last week that he had been concerned about the safety equipment.

Mr Bradley said boxers were asked to wear re-used gloves and headguards, which had become wet with sweat from previous fights, and his headguard "kept on slipping".

He said he "expressed concern" to other boxers but did not raise it with the organisers.

Professor Whitfield was also asked for his thoughts on the fact that Mr Chapman was a novice fighter, while Mr Bradley was far more experienced.

He said a boxer with a “higher skillset” was always likely to have a better chance of landing a hefty punch.

The inquest continues.