SAGINAW, Mich. (WJRT) – The mother of a Saginaw boxer who died following Saturday’s fight is mourning her son and speaking.
22-year-old Tyrone Welch died early Sunday after becoming lethargic and unresponsive during his fight at Gideon Boxing Gym Saturday night, according to his mother.
“He motioned with his hands, like he was too tired to go on,” said Shirley Welch.
Ms. Welch’s son, a Saginaw native, had a passion for boxing starting as a teen.
“I think he was like 16 or 17 years old.”
The young man took up the sport at Gideon Boxing Gym — a place of mentorship and community for many youth and adults in the Saginaw area.
But Saturday, according to Welch’s family, he became lethargic and eventually unresponsive during the second round of his fight.
“I noticed something was off, and I felt like they should’ve stopped the fight,” said Welch.
After seeing her son seem worse off, Shirley says she called 911.
The young boxer was eventually taken to the hospital by ambulance, where he died early Sunday morning.
Welch’s mother described Tyrone as a well-rounded young man who loved his friends, family, and his opponents.
The 22-year-old had even just recently dedicated his life to Christ.
“He had a glow about himself, and I’m glad he gave himself to Christ,” said Welch. “I know where my baby is going. He’s definitely gone to heaven.”
Shirley Welch told ABC 12 she does have some concerns regarding the amount of medical assistance that was present Saturday night.
She says she has no ill will against the boxing club her son loved, but she wishes Tyrone’s concerns were taken more seriously, instead of coaches trying to get her son to continue fighting.
Welch also said she wishes CPR had been performed more quickly for her son.
She says going forward, she’d like to see safety protocols become a priority.
“I still hurt, and I don’t want to see another parent hurt like I hurt, seeing my baby in that situation, and nobody was certified to help him. I feel like if we had the right people to help, my son would still be here.”
She says going forward, she’d like to see safety protocols become a priority.
“I still hurt, and I don’t want to see another parent hurt like I hurt,” said Welch. “Seeing my baby in that situation, and nobody was certified to help him. I feel like if we had the right people to help, my son would still be here.”
Monday evening, Gideon Boxing Gym’s Owner, Joe Mendez, opened the facility for boxers to come and gather in a safe space to reflect on Tyrone’s life and to grieve together.
Mendez did not want to comment during Monday’s event.
An autopsy is planned to determine the cause of Tyrone’s death.