Mother of teenage boxer who died in the ring in 2017 blasts 'inexplicable' decision to restore his c

Michelle Bilbey, whose teenage son Eddie died in the ring, has criticised the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC) for restoring the licence of his coach despite ‘dangerous training practices’ being revealed.

Bilbey collapsed in the ring as the referee announced the winner of his fight back in March 2017.

Despite attempts to save the welterweight who ‘lived and breathed boxing’, he never regained consciousness.

A 2020 inquest heard that the 17-year-old had an ‘excessive’ training regime, with the amateur boxer taking four hot baths a day, sleeping wrapped in several duvets and missing meals in a desperate bid to make the 10st 7lb weight limit.

The coroner’s verdict attributed Bilbey’s death to an undiagnosed heart condition and a metabolic disturbance resulting from intense physical training and rapid weight loss through dehydration. 

Eddie Bilbey died in collapsed and died following an amateur fight in March 2017

The coroner determined that his death was partly contributed to by the lack of adequate safeguarding and child protection measures.

The BBBofC last month lifted the suspension of Jay Shinfield, who had run the Somercotes boxing club attended by Bilbey.

‘Following a hearing before the Stewards of the British Boxing Board of Control, the Stewards found the matter not proven and the suspension of Mr. Shinfield’s licence was lifted,’ a decision read.

Bilbey told The Telegraph that the decision to reinstate Shinfield’s licence was ‘inexplicable’ following criticism of training practices.

‘I’m so disappointed with BBBofC’s decision to give him back his licence and also that all my son’s death seems worthy of is a refresher training course for trainers,’ she said.

‘The inquest was in the middle of Covid and so there was no one allowed to be in the public gallery or anything like that. I feel that it got overlooked. Now, here we are six years on, and that man is back in the gym.

‘I was aware that they’d asked for statements from some of Shinfield’s ex boxers, who had been boiled down to weight by him.

‘One of them I know ended up in hospital on a drip after his fight due to dehydration. 

 The coroner said Bilbey had an ‘excessive’ training regime as he aimed to lose weight

Michelle Bilbey has criticised the decision to lift a suspension on the licence of the coach of Eddie, right, and his brother Henry by the BBBofC

‘I just think he’s a very poor advocate for boxing and I’m very surprised and saddened that the BBBofC are happy to be linked with someone like him.’

The Telegraph said it made multiple efforts to contact Shinfield.

Michelle Bilbey, in her evidence to the coroner, had told that she had wanted the fight to be ‘pulled’ after Eddie had told her he was tired.

His brother later told he that Shinfield had said to Eddie ‘Stop moaning about it, she’s getting on to me’, warning to stop telling his mother everything or he wouldn’t be able to fight for the belt.

At the inquest, Shinfield said he would have ‘100 per cent have pulled the fight’ had he known Eddie was tired or ill.

He denied that he had been the coach of Eddie and his brother Henry, claiming he had given them advice but distanced from involvement in running the boxing club.

The inquest found that Shinfield was an ‘unreliable witness’.

Evidence given at the inquest found Shinfield was not registered with England Boxing, while he had not taken one of the governing body’s coaching qualification. Shinfield had not attended a safeguarding course or had an up-to-date DBS certificate.

An independent report criticised training practices at the gym overseen by Shinfield (pictured)

The coroner found Shinfield was aware Eddie and Henry were ‘training in bin bags’ to lose weight and said his answers suggested he was ‘comfortable’ with Eddie having to lose 1.7kg in the 24 hours before the fight, contrary to advice given to coaches by England Boxing.

England Boxing’s independent report found that he had allowed ‘some dangerous training practices to take place’ and determined that he was ‘fully in control and acting in the role of the boys’ coach.

The report, produced by Charles Thomas of Guildhall Chambers, stated that had Shinfield been registered with the governing body it is ‘abundantly clear that he should be the subject of disciplinary procedures’. 

It recommended England Boxing consider reporting him to the BBBoC to ask them to consider if he had breached any of their rules.

The report added that consideration should be given to referring Mr Shinfield to the Disclosure and Barring Service for them to decide if he should be prevented from working with children and/or vulnerable adults.

England Boxing said in September that it had produced a 25-point action plan following the independent report, focusing on enhancing coaching, medical procedures, sports administration, and the training of officials.

The body said safety protocols and training have improved since Bilbey’s tragic death, citing the implementation of the ‘defibrillator rule’ and a successful campaign for defibrillator equipment in boxing clubs.

England Boxing expressed ‘deep regret’ for missed safeguarding opportunities prior to Bilbey’s death.

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