Boxer Mike Towell would have had his licence suspended if the sport’s governing body had known he had suffered seizures, a fatal accident inquiry heard.
Robert Smith, 56, the general secretary of the British Board of Boxing Control (BBBC) said he did not think the Dundee fighter had been “open and upfront”.
Mike, 25, died of bleeding on the brain the day after he lost a bout in the fifth round to Welsh fighter Dale Evans on September 29 2016.
At the inquiry into his death at Glasgow Sheriff Court, procurator fiscal depute Eileen Beadsworth asked Mr Smith what would have happened if the BBBC had known the boxer suffered from seizures.
Mr Smith replied: “We would suspend his licence and make further investigations. At that point we would have to get permission to write to his GP.”
He also said if the BBBC was made aware of a boxer experiencing headaches in the lead up to a fight, their licence would be suspended then also.
Mr Smith said: “The thing we mustn’t forget, we only licence boxers from 18 upwards.
“We are dealing with adults. This was a young man, a father I understand. If he kept things from people, we are here because of that, ultimately. I think everybody involved, if they knew of these issues, should have raised them.”
The Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull asked: “From what you know, do you think he was open and upfront with the board?”
Mr Smith replied: “Unfortunately not.”
The inquiry continues.
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