Fatality inquiry into Edmonton boxer’s knockout death recommends better oversight

The judge leading a fatality inquiry into the knockout death of a boxer is recommending changes to how the sport is regulated and how head injuries are monitored.

Timothy Hague, who was 34, competed in a boxing match licensed by the Edmonton Combative Sports Commission in June 2017 when his opponent, Adam Braidwood, knocked him unconscious.

Hague came to and was able to walk to the dressing room, where he vomited, and was then taken to hospital where he underwent surgery for a large brain bleed.

His condition did not improve, care was withdrawn and Hague died two days after the fight.

Justice Carrie Sharpe with Alberta’s provincial court made 14 recommendations, including that combat sports be overseen by a provincial authority instead of a patchwork of municipal bodies and that there be concussion spotters at every event.

She also recommends that if a fighter receives a blow to the head in a technical knockout, they must provide a brain scan to prove they are fit to compete again.

The City of Edmonton said, in a statement, that it received Justice Sharpe’s inquiry.

“This report includes recommendations aimed at enhancing safety measures in combative sports with recommendations that may impact the City and the Government of Alberta,” the city said.

“We are currently in the process of reviewing these recommendations to evaluate their feasibility and potential impact on public safety.”

The city says it will provide a response to the inquiry by March 2025 at the latest.