Man dies after collapsing at Winnipeg charity boxing event, investigation underway

WINNIPEG — A man has died after suffering what appears to have been a medical emergency during a charity boxing match in Winnipeg.

Boxing Canada, the governing body of Olympic-style boxing, says Robert Boyko, a man in his 50s who was in his first-ever competition, collapsed during the third and final round.

The group’s executive director, Christopher Lindsay, says a ringside doctor attended to Boyko, but Boyko appears to have had a cardiac event and was taken to hospital.

Lindsay says boxers at his group’s sanctioned events undergo annual medical exams and are screened by a doctor before each event.

He also says a ringside doctor can halt the match if they feel a fighter is in trouble.

Winnipeg police say they are not investigating the death, while Lindsay says Boxing Canada will do a review to see whether any protocols might need improvement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2025