Home / Crime and Justice / Student's Death Prompts £200k Lawsuit Over Boxing Match
Student's Death Prompts £200k Lawsuit Over Boxing Match
13 Oct
Summary
- Student fatally injured in charity boxing match, died four days later.
- Family seeks £200,000, alleging referee failed to stop bout in time.
- Organizers deny liability, citing referee's competence and training.
A tragic charity boxing match in Nottingham has led to a £200,000 lawsuit, filed by the family of Jubal Reji Kurian, a 23-year-old postgraduate student. Kurian collapsed on March 29, 2023, after a blow to the head in the final round of the bout at Harvey Haddon Sports Centre. He never regained consciousness and passed away in hospital four days later.
His father, Reji Kurian, is suing Ultra Events Ltd, the organizers, alleging the referee's failure to stop the fight in time directly contributed to his son's death. The family's barrister argued in London's High Court that the fight should have been halted before the final punch was thrown, suggesting this could have saved Jubal's life.
Ultra Events Ltd denies all liability, asserting the referee was highly competent and experienced for amateur bouts. They stated Jubal had undergone over 33 hours of training. An inquest in June 2024 ruled his death accidental, due to bleeding on both sides of the brain.
The case is proceeding towards a trial, with legal teams arguing over evidence. Permission has been granted for expert testimony on the fight's video footage, though the defense challenged the proposed expert's qualifications for white-collar events.
