The 31-year-old had beaten Dec Spelman on points in a light-heavyweight bout, but appeared to be in pain during post-fight interviews and was subsequently taken to hospital after falling ill backstage.

Westgarth's hospitalisation caused the show, headlined by former footballer-turned-boxer Curtis Woodhouse, who was due to fight in a Commonwealth light-welterweight title match, to be cancelled.

In announcing Westgarth’s death, his promoter Stefy Bull described him as a "young man doing a job he loves" whilst he also said the incident had left him "questioning my time in boxing".

Westgarth's opponent Spelman also paid tribute on social media.

He said he was "absolutely heartbroken".

Westgarth, who was the underdog going into Saturday's contest, had a previous record of six wins, two losses and one draw.