Coach of boxer who died after ‘dangerous training’ unsuspended to outrage of mum

The mum of a teenage boxer who died having been exposed to "dangerous training" has expressed her disappointment at his coach regaining a licence.

Eddie Bibley, the son of Michelle, collapsed following the conclusion of an amateur fight in March 2017. He was taken to hospital but passed away later that night.

Working with Jay Shinfield at Somercotes boxing club in Derbyshire, the 6ft 17-year-old had gone to extreme lengths to make the 10st 7lb weight limit – taking up to four hot baths a day, sleeping in several duvets and running wearing bin bags.

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His brother Henry, who also trained at Somercotes, told an inquest that “Mr Shinfield had said to Edward that he must stop telling his mother everything or he wouldn’t be able to fight for the belt” and warned him "stop moaning about it, she’s getting on to me".

The coroner found “intense physical training” and “rapid weight-loss” by dehydration had contributed to his death, which was attributed to an undiagnosed heart condition and a metabolic disturbance.

Shinfield, who was dating Michelle at the time, denied knowing of Eddie's struggles and insisted he didn't coach the amateurs at his gym – but he was classed as an "unreliable witness".

Nevertheless, the British Boxing Board of Control last month lifted his suspension, much to the outrage of Michelle. She told The Telegraph: “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.

“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 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 decision came despite a new report by Charles Thomas of Guildhall Chambers, published in September, determining that Shinfield – who was not registered with England Boxing and had not taken any of their coaching qualifications – had allowed “some dangerous training practices” to take place.

“Answers given by Mr Shinfield to the coroner suggest that he was comfortable with Edward having to lose 1.7kg in the 24 hours before the fight,” Thomas wrote. “This is entirely contrary to the advice given to coaches by England Boxing.”

Thomas also recommended “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” – which seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

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