Kickboxing chief blames 'ambulance failings' after boy fighter, 14, dies following national title bout 

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Tragedy: Champion kickboxer Scott Marsden, from Hillsborough, Sheffield, pictured left and right, needed urgent medical attention during an English title fight in Leeds and he died in hospital yesterday

A kickboxing chief has slammed paramedics after a 14-year-old fighter died following a national title bout.

Talented Scott Marsden, from Sheffield, died after collapsing during an unsanctioned fight in Leeds on Saturday.

He fell ill in the ring and then passed away in hospital on Tuesday.

Following the teen's death, the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) has criticised the response of the emergency services. 

Jon Green, who is England president of the WKA, posted on Facebook: 'Not just WKA but the world of kickboxing is mourning such a well-loved and respected fighter and sportsman.

'One of our finest champions in every sense in the ring and true ambassador of the values out of the ring.'

Mr Green said there were 'no failings on either teams, promoter had everything in place.'

And he said ringside paramedics 'fought tirelessly to keep Scott with us'.

But Mr Green added: 'Unfortunately there were complications where additional emergency response was needed to which NHS emergency response requests failed in a way that cannot be comprehended.

'There are many questions to be answered. I owe it to Scott and the Marsden family that they get answers to why our 999 service has let them down.'

He added: 'Our sport is a contact sport but every precaution is in place to have protection and to be able respond to keep our fighters safe.'

Dr David Macklin, executive director of operations at Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust, said the service received an emergency call at 10.30pm on Saturday.

Collapse: Kickboxing champion Scott Marsden, aged 14, (left in a fight last year) died after falling ill during a national competition at the weekend

He said: 'A private events medical team was on scene with the patient and the nearest available ambulance was dispatched to the incident and arrived on scene at 10.51pm. 

'In addition, we dispatched the West Yorkshire Medic Response Team with a doctor on board, and a clinical superviser specially trained in advanced resuscitation techniques.

'All of our staff worked tirelessly to provide the patient with the best possible care and transport him to hospital for further treatment.'  

The British Kickboxing Council, (BKC), who are seeking to become the sport's governing body, had not sanctioned the event and has said the fatality 'demonstrates why this sport needs regulation'.

The fight was sanctioned by the World Kickboxing Association (WKA).

An eyewitness at the kickboxing match revealed that Scott's fall 'did not follow a blow' and described how his martial arts instructor father Simon, who was also his kickboxing coach, was watching from his corner when he fell gravely ill.

The fan, who did not want to be named, said: 'The poor boy's dad was in his corner when it happened. He is his coach.

'The ref managed to catch Scott before he fell to the ground. His fall definitely did not follow a blow. It is all so raw. My heart goes out to his family.' 

He also revealed that Scott's opponent is struggling to cope with what happened.

He said: 'The two boys had nothing but respect for each other. I understand the other boy is in a terrible way right now. It was such a harrowing thing to happen.' 

Scott, from Hillsborough, Sheffield, fell ill during an English championship fight in Leeds on Saturday and passed away in hospital yesterday. 

The sport's governing body, the British Kickboxing Council, (BKC) had not sanctioned the event because it was an under 16 bout where both fighters could kick and punch each other in the head.

Venue: Leeds Martial Arts College in Morley, where fourteen-year-old Scott Marsden collapsed and died during a national kickboxing competition

Scott's tragic death has sparked debate about whether these 'full contact' fights should be allowed - but it is not yet known if the teenager collapsed because he was struck or if he had an underlying medical problem.  

Martial arts journalist and kickboxing expert Anoop Hothi said on social media: 'Stop putting your head in the sand, again and again! He was only 14!

'The cause of death is still to be confirmed but how many more have to either die or have some serious issues in the ring.

'This isn't the first time such tragedy has struck kickboxing let alone any of the ring/cage fighting sports but enough is enough.

He added: 'One life is one life too many. We are going to take risks but we all need to be better regulated and better protected. My thoughts are with Scott's family and friends'.

Grief: Kickboxing clubs across the country are also planning a minute's silence at their next events - some involved in the sport have admitted it can be dangerous

Scott Marsden's family have been left devastated by his death and his own father Simon is a well-known martial instructor who set up Marsden's All Styles (MAS) Kickboxing club around eight years ago.

His son started kickboxing aged four won a 50kg gold title at the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) finals in Spain in 2015 as well as the Yorkshire title in the same year.

Tragic fight was not sanctioned by British Kickboxing Council

Star: Scott won a 50kg gold title at the World Kickboxing Association (WKA) finals in Spain in 2015

The fight during which Scott Marsden fell ill was unsanctioned, the British Kickboxing Council said today.

The sport's governing body do not regulate any 'full contact' fights involving the under-16s.

At the moment individual event organisers have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for both competitors and spectators.  

A spokesman for the council said: 'The British Kickboxing Council is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of an amazingly talented young athlete Scott Marsden.

'The BKC did not sanction the event where this occurred and does not, at the present time, sanction or regulate any Full Contact Kickboxing events for any young persons under the age of 16 years old. 

'The administration and regulation of Full Contact events is the responsibility of the organiser and it is not currently within the remit of the BKC to offer sanctioning and/or control to these events. Individual event organisers have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for both competitors and spectators'.

But he needed urgent medical attention during an English championship fight in Leeds on Saturday.  

Witnesses said the fight had to be stopped by the referee and 'Scotty' was placed on the canvas as he received treatment before being rushed to hospital.

Friend Charlotte Rowlett said that Scott died at Leeds General Infirmary yesterday 'surrounded by his family and people who love him'. 

His tragic death will bolster the British Kickboxing Council's call for the sport to be fully regulated in Britain.

A spokesman said: 'The BKC did not sanction the event where this occurred and does not, at the present time, sanction or regulate any Full Contact Kickboxing events for any young persons under the age of 16 years old.

'Incidents such as this fully support the BKC's application for Governance and demonstrate why this sport needs regulation. The BKC will work closely with the NSPCC's Sports Unit and will be taking further advice in relation to this matter from the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

'Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time and we remain committed to doing whatever we can to ensure that this remains an isolated incident'. 

The kickboxer's close friend Joe Hughes was one of the first to reveal Scott's tragic death.

He said in a message: 'I'm thankful I got to see you and give a final bow of respect to a fellow martial artist and a brother in every sense of the word.

'You are proof that you don't need to share blood to be family and I'm truly privileged to call you my little brother.'

Scott's club, Marsden's All Styles (MAS) Kickboxing - which was set up by his father, Simon Marsden, and his uncle Darren Marsden around eight years ago - have set up a fundraising page to help raise money for his devastated family.

Speaking on behalf of the family Charlotte Rowlett said: 'Yesterday we were all struck with the devastating blow none of us ever thought possible.

'Our lovely Scotty, who suffered an injury on Saturday 11/3/17 whilst doing the thing he loved, Kickboxing, sadly never recovered and took his final bow surrounded by his family and people who love him in the early hours of this morning. 

Much loved: Kickboxer Scott pictured with his proud parents Jo and Simon, a kickboxing instructor, with one of his many trophies

Protege: Scotty started the sport at aged four - and  had a number of awards and championship titles

Talented: Scott Marsden with his gold medal during the WTKA, European Open Championships 2015 and the 2015 Yorkshire Open

Haul: A trophy cabinet at Hillsborough Sports Arena, Sheffield, displaying many of Scott's trophies and medals

Heartbroken: West Yorkshire Police said the incident was not being treated as suspicious and while the force say he is in a critical condition his friends and fellow kickboxers say he has died overnight

'I've had the pleasure of helping Scotty raise money in the past to help send him off to fight overseas in the WKU world open championship, where he won Gold -50kg division, something I was so incredibly proud of him for doing.

'So thought it fitting I do it for him again now, even though it's breaking my heart.

'Everything Scotty did, he did with passion and a confidence that was a pleasure to behold, he was the most wonderful, talented boy and the loss of him will leave a hole in so many people's lives.

Early starter: Scott, pictured with two of his championship belts, required treatment in the ring before being taken to hospital in Leeds where he died yesterday 

'Scott was not only a kick boxer though, he is a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin and a friend.

'No amount of money can take away the pain his family are feeling today and always, but no family should ever have to cater for coping with the loss of a 14 year old boy, with his whole life ahead of him.

'Please give what you can to help support his beautiful family.'

Scott's aunt, Jackie Marsden, 46, today said the family had been through a 'hellish weekend.'

Her husband, goldsmith Darren, 47, was unable to speak about the loss of his nephew.

The organisers of Saturday's event, Leeds Martial Arts College, confirmed the teenager had died, and said: 'Our deepest condolences & sympathy go to our friends the Marsdens at this terrible time.

'Scotty will always be in our hearts & our thoughts & we miss you dearly. A true champion in every way who's energy & positivity affected everyone he met. Rest now Scotty lad'.

His friends and fellow kickboxers say he has died yesterday and paid tribute to the much-loved 'young warrior'. 

West Yorkshire Police said the incident was not being treated as suspicious.  

Neil Kelly, who runs the USKA Fight Factory in Birmingham, and knows Scott's family said on Facebook this morning: 'Extremely saddened to hear of the heartbreaking loss of a fine young kickboxer.

'Scott was an extremely talented fighter. The martial arts community is shocked and in mourning and rightfully so for a lad that will be truly missed. 

'God bless you all with strength at this difficult and sad time. RIP Scotty'.

World Kickboxing Association (WKA) England president Jon Green posted on Facebook: 'Not just WKA but the world of kickboxing is mourning such a well-loved and respected fighter and sportsman.

'One of our finest champions in every sense in the ring and true ambassador of the values out of the ring.

'A smile that lit you up to see his face and receive it.

'In every sense it does not seem real or even possible. It must be said there was no failings on either teams, promoter had everything in place.'

Scott, who started kickboxing aged four, is believed to be a member of the family run Marsden's All Styles Kickboxing, in Sheffield. 

The group described what happened in a statement after the English title fight.

It said: 'The  English title fight had to be stopped due to Scotty needing immediate medical attention.

'The cards showed only 1 point between them in a very close shot for shot fight which could have gone either way on the score cards

'Everyone is still in shock as there were simply no signs to suggest the fight needed to be stopped.

'The referee stepped in to protect Scott as soon as he could which meant Scott did not hit the canvas and was laid down and straight into recovery position Scott was then taken to hospital'.

Early starter: Scott, who started kickboxing aged four, was a member of the family run Marsden's All Styles Kickboxing, in Sheffield (pictured)

Tributes: Friends and fellow kickboxers have paid tribute to the champion who they say died overnight

Crowdfunding: Loved-ones have set up a fundraising page to help raise money for Scott's devastated family

The club posted a statement on Facebook on Sunday, which said training was cancelled until further notice.

Kickboxing clubs across the country are also planning a minute's silence at their next event.

Detective Inspector Phil Jackson, of Leeds District CID, said: 'At 1.20pm on Sunday, police were contacted by medical staff at Leeds General Infirmary reporting a 14-year-old boy who was in a critical condition after collapsing during an organised kickboxing contest at Alexandra Mill, Morley, on Saturday night.

'The boy has sadly since been pronounced dead.

'The incident is not being treated as suspicious and inquiries are being carried out into the circumstances for a report to the coroner.

'We are in contact with the family and are offering them every support at what is understandably a very difficult time for them.

'They have asked that the media respect their privacy at this time.' 

To donate to a crowdfunding page in his memory click HERE