A Winnipeg man has died after experiencing a medical emergency throughout a boxing match at a charity occasion on Saturday, his boxing membership says.
In an announcement, the Winnipeg-based United Boxing Membership confirmed that 54-year-old Robert Boyko died in what it’s calling a “tragic accident” that occurred whereas he was boxing in the course of the Company Problem portion of the Melee Gala X charity fundraising occasion on Saturday night time in Winnipeg, which was established by the membership in 2013.
United Boxing mentioned Boyko began boxing within the winter of 2024, and within the quick time he had been concerned within the sport it had a optimistic affect on many features of his life.
“Robert helped motivate and inspire our members at United Boxing Club and he will be deeply missed,” the membership mentioned.
The membership mentioned it’s reached out to Boyko’s household, and is working with Boxing Canada to offer counselling companies.
The United Boxing Membership mentioned within the assertion that it’s not conscious of any failures within the varied security protocols, which embrace medical examinations on the time of registration, and on the day of competitors.
“Matches are made in consideration of factors such as age and weight,” the membership mentioned. “Yes, there was medical support at the event, and they acted promptly on the medical emergency.”
In a message despatched to CBC Manitoba, Boyko’s sister Karen Lynn mentioned though the household is devastated by his sudden dying, they take some solace realizing he spent his final moments doing one thing that had made him so pleased in current months.
Lynn mentioned that at 54, her brother was the oldest particular person to ever participate within the Company Problem portion of the Melee Gala X.
“Our hearts are broken, yet there was no holding him back,” Lynn mentioned. “He was determined to support the charity and worked hard to reach this goal in life.”
‘Sad situation’: Boxing Canada
“It is definitely a sad situation all around, and not something that is in the normal course of physical activity among masters athletes or specifically boxing,” Lindsay mentioned.
All opponents on Saturday had seen a physician in the course of the weigh in who requested a number of health-related questions, and checked issues like blood pressures, Lindsay mentioned.
He added the occasion included a ringside physician, who instantly attended to Boyko.
“That ringside doctor has a position of authority within the competition structure, where if at any time they feel that an athlete’s safety is put at risk, they can immediately end the competition,” he mentioned.
The Winnipeg Fireplace Paramedic Service confirmed they responded to a name of a medical emergency on Saturday round 9:30 p.m. within the 1400 block of Regent Avenue West, and that one particular person was despatched to hospital in vital situation.
Boxing helped Boyko ‘turn back the clock’ on well being
In the meantime, in a social media publish on United Boxing Membership’s Instagram account from Aug. 1, Boyko mentioned having the ability to take part within the company problem portion of Melee Gala X charity fundraising occasion was a “once in a lifetime opportunity” that he was “profoundly grateful” for.
Boyko wrote within the publish that when he joined his first-class at United Boxing Membership on Feb. 24, 2024, he couldn’t even full a single warm-up lap across the gymnasium.
He wrote that he was 53 years previous on the time and hadn’t participated in any kind of train in over 10 years and had by no means thrown a punch. The prospect of “reclaiming my health, especially through the sport of boxing, seemed highly unlikely,” he wrote.
“On any given day I am 20 or 30 years older than most everyone else in the gym, but you would never know it by the way I am treated,” he mentioned within the publish.
“Not only have I been able to turn back the clock on my health, but I have also regained my confidence and social graces,” he wrote. “I’ve taken up hobbies to study social psychology and quantum physics, and have even begun a foray into online content creation. I might even buy a keyboard.”
Boyko wrote in an Instagram publish main as much as the occasion that boxing had helped him flip again the clock on his well being. (United Boxing Membership/Fb)
Boyko additionally wrote within the publish about overcoming challenges in his private life and previous trauma.
“And know that, no matter the circumstances, you can come back,” he wrote. “Fight to the bell. Make every round count.”
