Boxing Safety Overhaul Demanded After Fighter’s Death

Grieving Family Pushes for Reform in Combat Sports

A push for stricter safety measures in combat sports is gaining momentum following a coroner’s report into the tragic death of Kain Parsons at a charity boxing match in 2018.

Calls for Enhanced Participant Education

The comprehensive 141-page report advocates for a significant overhaul of safety protocols, including the implementation of waivers and medical declarations signed as close to an event as possible. These documents should specifically query any suspected or actual head injuries experienced by participants.

Kain Parsons, a novice fighter, reportedly suffered a head injury during training weeks before his bout. Crucially, neither the event promoter nor the doctor was informed of this incident. His family contended that he did not fully grasp the risks involved.

The findings strongly recommend increased education for all participants. The coroner suggested a compulsory seminar for competitors, trainers, event doctors, and other stakeholders approximately 12 weeks before an event, with families encouraged to attend.

Kain Parsons‘ father-in-law, Dr Pete Benny, expressed satisfaction with this aspect of the report, stating, “We’re pleased about the emphasis on education and proper informed consent, because there never has been informed consent for this.”

A Life Dedicated to Helping Others

At 37, Kain Parsons was described as a dedicated father of three and a selfless individual who readily helped his community. His wife, Alana Parsons, recalled his enthusiasm for the boxing training and his excitement about fundraising for a good cause.

“He’s not here to defend himself, and it’s felt like my role for the last six years, I feel like I’ve had to,” Alana Parsons shared, emphasizing her family’s commitment to seeking justice and driving change.

Accountability and Referee’s Role

Kain Parsons‘ mother, Cheryl Gascoigne, voiced her frustration with the inquest process, telling the *Herald* that it felt like her son’s integrity was scrutinised. She noted that many involved in the event implied Kain was responsible for his own demise.

“I sat through a week of listening to all parties that were involved in Kain’s death and at no time did any one of those parties reflect and take responsibility for the part that they played in my son’s death,” Gascoigne stated.

The coroner identified that the referee could have taken more decisive action. The report stated that the referee “could have taken further, more focused available steps to assess Mr Parsons’ ability to continue the match after the third standing eight count.” However, the coroner could not definitively determine if calling off the match would have altered the outcome.

Legislative Review Urged for Combat Sports

The coroner’s findings recommend the repeal of the Boxing and Wrestling Act 1981 and its associated regulations. A review of the legislative framework for all combat sports, including the specific context of corporate boxing, is proposed to establish a consistent national standard.

The Minister for Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, acknowledged the outdated nature of the current act, noting its limitations in covering newer combat sports like mixed martial arts. “It is preferable to have one clear and modern legislative framework for all combat sports,” she said.

The government plans to repeal the act through the Regulatory Systems (Internal Affairs) Amendment Bill, which will be open for public submission. This move is welcomed by Parsons‘ family, though Gascoigne remains cautiously optimistic about the timeline for reforms.

The Ministry of Health reports that in 2023, there were 4,300 hospital admissions for sports injuries in New Zealand, with combat sports being a contributing factor to traumatic brain injuries (Ministry of Health, 2023).

Coronial Delay Impacts Grieving Process

The coroner acknowledged the significant delay between Parsons‘ death in late 2018 and the inquest’s commencement approximately six years later. “The time it has taken to reach the inquest is very regrettable,” the coroner stated.

This prolonged process has understandably complicated the family’s grieving. “The delays and delays and delays don’t allow the normal healing processes to occur because you’re always waiting for something to happen,” explained Pete Benny.

Gascoigne believes the delay hampered the inquest’s effectiveness, suggesting that crucial evidence may have been unavailable or less impactful due to the time lapse. “I believe that we would have had a much firmer outcome had it been addressed earlier,” she commented.

The family’s efforts to expedite the inquest were acknowledged, with Gascoigne feeling they had to hire counsel to push the process forward. Despite the arduous journey, Alana Parsons expressed hope that the findings will lead to positive changes in how future fights are conducted.