Sports England launches investigation into sexual abuse in boxing

The Mail reports that individuals with “extensive criminal records” have been allowed to work as coaches at Boxing England for vulnerable adults and young people.  

To work for Boxing England, coaches are required to undergo enhanced DBS checks. This is the same as a standard background DBS check, which shows convictions and adult cautions, in addition to any information from local police that “is considered relevant to the role”.  

However, when a conviction is found, the Mail reports that it is up to Boxing England’s discretion to exclude that person from being affiliated. Whistleblowers say that these cases are decided by “a panel of insiders”.  

Leigh Day client Simon Byrne previously spoke out about childhood sexual abuse by his former boxing coach Patrick Lowe in 2021. 

Simon told the BBC that the abuse took place from when he was 11 until he was 15 years old and had “robbed” him of a huge part of his life.  

But by the time of Lowe’s trial in November 2024, he was deemed to be mentally unfit for a criminal trial.

Leigh Day human rights lawyer Dino Nocivelli, who specialises in abuse claims said:  

“I am very concerned by these allegations but at the same time not surprised as sport continues to have an issue dealing with abuse. It is imperative that sexual abuse convictions are taken seriously and that athletes are safe.  

“Boxing England has a duty to safeguard athletes and the impact of failing in that duty is immense. For over a decade now, I have been acting on behalf of adults who have suffered childhood sexual abuse and the impact of abuse is often significant and lifelong. We need to do all that we can to break the silence of abuse and as importantly, to prevent abuse as much as we can.”