Inquiry into death of fighter calls for Alberta to regulate bouts, enforce stronger oversights

Justice Carrie Sharpe, who led the fatality inquiry into the tragic death of fighter Tim Hague, has called for significant changes to the regulation of combative sports in Alberta. Seven years after Hague’s untimely passing, the need for enhanced safety measures and oversight in the industry remains a pressing concern.

Hague’s fatal brain hemorrhage following a boxing match in Edmonton shed light on the inadequacies of the current system of regulation, prompting Justice Sharpe to make a total of 14 recommendations in her report. One of the key proposals is the centralization of sanctioning authority under the province of Alberta, as opposed to the existing fragmented municipal oversight.

The lack of provincial oversight in Alberta has led to gaps in the sanctioning of events, potentially compromising the safety of fighters. Justice Sharpe stresses the importance of stringent limits on when contestants are cleared to fight and the implementation of guidelines to prevent individuals with concussions or traumatic brain injuries from entering the ring. She also calls for universal suspension periods and more centralized tracking of athletes’ fight records.

Moreover, the report highlights the need for mandatory medical suspensions between fights, regardless of the outcome. Fighters who suffer knockouts should face mandatory suspensions and undergo thorough medical evaluations before being allowed to compete again. Sharpe advocates for the creation of a single database to track fighters’ medical histories and the presence of “concussion spotters” at all combative sports events.

The tragic circumstances surrounding Tim Hague’s death underscore the urgency of implementing these recommendations to safeguard the well-being of fighters in Alberta. The City of Edmonton has already taken steps to address regulatory shortcomings, imposing temporary moratoriums on combative sports and committing to a formal response to the inquiry by March 2025.

Alberta’s Minister of Tourism and Sport, Joseph Schow, has pledged to review the recommendations and consult with sports commissions to determine the next steps. While the province remains a “distinct jurisdiction,” Schow acknowledges the importance of prioritizing safety in the aftermath of Hague’s passing.

The family of Tim Hague, who filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2019, hopes that the recommended changes will prevent future tragedies and ensure that no other family has to endure the loss of a loved one in the ring. Their lawyer, Ari Schacter, expressed support for the recommendations and emphasized the family’s commitment to fighter safety.

As Alberta navigates the path towards reforming its combative sports regulations, the legacy of Tim Hague serves as a poignant reminder of the need for comprehensive safety measures and stringent oversight in the industry. By heeding Justice Sharpe’s recommendations, the province can honor Hague’s memory and prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.