The devastated family of a young man who died while training for a charity boxing match have spoken of their anger towards an events company now linked to four fatalities. Owen Henderson, 23, from Oakham in Rutland, passed away on November 4, just one week after attending a training session with Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB).
A Life Cut Short During Charity Training
Owen had signed up for UWCB's eight-week training programme, which promises novices with no boxing experience 'free' training before participating in a 'fight night' spectacle. His motivation was deeply personal - he aimed to raise money for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation, a cause close to his heart as his brother Harry lives with the rare genetic disorder.
The tragic incident occurred on October 28 during a training session at Stanground Leisure Centre in Peterborough. According to his family, Owen received a blow during sparring that caused a serious head injury. CCTV footage reportedly shows him leaving the session with a bloody nose, before he was discovered unconscious in the centre's toilets after what his family were told was a seizure.
Despite being rushed to hospital and undergoing a four-hour emergency operation to relieve pressure on his brain from bleeding, doctors delivered the devastating news that nothing more could be done to save him. His life support was switched off one week after the training session.
Family's Unanswered Questions and Heartbreak
Owen's father, Kevin Henderson, 63, described living through his "worst nightmare" and expressed profound frustration at the unanswered questions surrounding his son's death. "He shouldn't be dead. My boy should not be laying there," Mr Henderson told the Mail.
The grieving father highlighted several concerns about the training session's safety protocols. "Whatever happened in that ring we'll never know. There are lots of unanswered questions. What procedures were in place? Were there first aiders there? We don't even know who he was fighting with," he said.
Mr Henderson contrasted the situation with professional boxing standards: "When you are in the ring in a professional fight, you bleed and you get checked out straight away. It wasn't until his mate found him unconscious in the toilet that anything happened."
He remembered his son as "a very caring soul" who was "a lover, not a fighter" and emphasised that Owen was participating solely to raise money for charity. "If I had known then what I know now, and I knew the risks and about other people who have died before, I would have sat him down and said 'no son'," he added.
History of Tragedy and Calls for Regulation
Owen's death marks the fourth fatality linked to Ultra Events since 2017, raising serious questions about the safety protocols in white collar boxing. The previous incidents include:
- Alastair Peck, 44 - Found dead two days after his UWCB bout in Harrogate in 2017, with an inquest ruling he died from head injuries sustained during his fight.
- Dominic Chapman, 26 - Collapsed during his fight in Worcester in April 2022 and died two days later.
- Jubal Reji Kurian, 23 - Knocked unconscious during his bout in Nottingham in 2023 and died four days later from bleeding on both sides of his brain.
Dominic Chapman's father, John, who has been campaigning for regulatory changes since his son's death, expressed his devastation upon learning about Owen's passing. "I had hoped that no other family would have had to experience the loss of their loved one under these circumstances," he said.
Mr Chapman described witnessing the continued boxing event after his son was carried unconscious from the venue as something he would "never forgive them for." He warned: "I think at the moment, it will happen again. And God forbid the parents and family of that individual. Because I know what it is like, it's crucifying."
Family friend Charlene Stubbs criticised UWCB's response, claiming the company had "not contacted the family whatsoever" following Owen's death. She added: "[Deaths] will keep happening as long as it continues."
However, Ultra Events maintains that a representative did speak with Owen's family to offer support, and that the family made clear they didn't want further contact. The company says it respected this privacy but has recently made additional efforts to reach out.
Company Response and Safety Claims
In response to the tragedy, a UWCB spokesperson stated: "Everyone at Ultra White Collar Boxing is deeply upset to hear about the tragic death of Owen. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time, and we send our heartfelt condolences."
The company described the sparring as "light, technical jab sparring" and emphasised their safety record, stating: "We have had over 250,000 participants since 2009 with an extremely high safety record, and we have strict processes in place to provide a safe environment for people to enjoy the experience of boxing while raising money for charity."
Ultra maintains that three personnel with first-aid training qualifications were present during the session, including the head coach.
Owen's organs were donated after his death, saving five other lives, while a fundraising page has been established to continue his charitable work, raising over £2,000 for the Angelman charity and funeral costs. Friends and family plan to honour his memory with a 22.1-mile hike around Rutland Water on November 4, 2026.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed that a file has been passed to the coroner as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding Owen Henderson's tragic death.
