Kain Parsons died four days after he was knocked out at a charity boxing event.

Boxing New Zealand (BNZ) has turned its back on corporate boxing following the death of a Christchurch competitor.

Kain Parsons, 37, died in Christchurch Hospital on Wednesday. Parsons, a former builder-turned-project-manager for Versatile Garages, was knocked unconscious during a fight against former Canterbury and Tasman Makos half-back Steve Alfeld at Fight for Christchurch on Saturday.

His father-in-law, Peter Benny, told Newshub the family was "devastated by the loss of such a wonderful person".

"We are all going through a very, very difficult time but that is because Kain was such a wonderful man."

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Benny said Parson was driven to help others, which was why he got into the ring – to fight for a children's charity.

"He felt he was informed and knew what he was doing. He's just so driven to do good," Benny told Newshub.

BNZ, the governing body for amateur and Olympic style boxing in New Zealand, has held "very real and grave concerns" over the safety of participants in corporate boxing and the lack of consistent regulation being applied for some time.

BNZ, who has been a small player in the corporate boxing world, announced on Wednesday that it would "cease any and all involvement" with so called "Corporate Boxing".

The majority of corporate bouts and events are sanctioned by professional sanctioning bodies such as the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) and the New Zealand National Boxing Federation (NZNBF).

BNZ chairman Keith Walker told Stuff they originally got involved in corporate boxing because some of their affiliated bodies were running corporate fights.

At the time BNZ were concerned around a lack of governance in corporate boxing so moved to put some of their own regulations in place to make it as safe as possible.

But Walker said because of ongoing safety concerns around corporate boxing, BNZ has decided to focus on its core business of amateur boxing.

"Whilst most promoters run these events very professionally, we cannot impose the same level of restrictions and guidelines, we would place upon organisers of amateur events," BNZ said in a statement.

"The amateur sport itself is heavily regulated and conducted under very strict rules, where the care and protection of our boxers is paramount.

FIGHT FOR CHRISTCHURCH Kain Parsons died after competing in a charity match in Christchurch.

"We expect the highest standards from our coaches, referees, judges and officials, all of whom must be qualified to participate fully in the sport. The boxers themselves must be registered with Boxing New Zealand and undergo annual and pre bout medical checks and are matched as closely as possible, according to age and weight categories."

Boxing New Zealand extended its sympathies to the friends and family of Parsons.

David Craig, an internationally accredited boxing referee, told Radio New Zealand undertaking a course of 12-18 weeks boxing training – or in some cases even less – was not adequate preparation for a boxing bout.

"From personal experience you should be doing at least a year's worth of training. It's not only a fitness issue, it's a skill issue, and from there you'll know or not if you have the ability to get in there and contest your skills with another fighter.

"I'd like to see effectively a warrant of fitness provided to demonstrate they have undergone sufficient training and are at a level of fitness to allow them to step into the ring," he said.

There have also been calls for headgear to be compulsory in corporate boxing and for the glove sizes to be increased from 16oz to 18oz.

Bigger gloves provide more padding to limit the impact of punches.

Walker said headgear will not prevent concussion but it can help so he believes corporate boxing competitors should all be wearing it.

According to witnesses, Parsons was stunned twice by punches, prompting the referee to give him two eight standing counts in the first round to check if he was OK to continue, before he was knocked out in the second round.

"I don't think this was an issue around officiating or what necessarily happened in the ring, it's probably the process of these guys and girls who do get in the ring," Craig told Radio New Zealand.

Parsons was not wearing headgear, which was optional. The policy is in line with NZPBA. A review is under way into the fight.

Meanwhile, a Christchurch boxing fitness centre has postponed its corporate fight night following the death of a boxer four days after he was knocked unconscious at a charity boxing event.

In a statement on its Facebook page on Wednesday night, Christchurch boxing fitness centre 1 More Round announced its own corporate event, Contenders All-Stars Fight Night. had been postponed.

"In good conscience we make this decision for Kain, his family and friends, and while 1 More Round was not directly involved with the incident we feel that it is more important to take a position as a boxing fitness centre who runs corporate boxing in New Zealand."

Corporate boxing events and their charity equivalents generally involve fighters with little or no boxing experience.

The centre was reviewing the way it delivered both the contenders club and fight night with a goal of providing the sanctioning body with greater comfort that boxers are being trained, skilled and conditioned under experienced boxing coaches.

It was important to acknowledge the referees and judges and the experience they brought to the events, the statement said.

"It is an incredibly hard skill to be the third man in the ring, they read the situation constantly to make sure that a boxer is given the best chance while ensuring safety is paramount, especially in corporate boxing."

A statement released by police on behalf of Parsons' family said the outpouring of support from family, friends and the public had been "humbling and very much appreciated".

They thanked the "amazing" team at Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit, the paramedics at the event, and the medical professionals who left their tables to go to Parsons' aid.

"Kain gave his life in the pursuit of raising money for those less fortunate and his enormous heart, selfless attitude and gentle giant nature will leave a void in the lives of so many," the statement said.

"Kain is survived by his wife and three beautiful children who will miss their family man more than words can express."

Inspector Darryl Sweeney said police were liaising with the event's organisers and officials as they investigated what happened.

The death will be referred to the coroner.

Event operator Callam Mitchell said in a statement he and his team were devastated.

"On behalf of the entire Fight for Christchurch community, we extend our sincere condolences to Kain's family, friends and workmates. Our thoughts are naturally also with Kain's opponent during this incredibly difficult time."

He had spoken to Parsons' coach, Alfeld and Alfeld's coach and they were "completely traumatised".

"We have already reached out to police, providing our full co-operation into their investigation of what happened."