A former professional boxer has been jailed for eight years for killing a man during a fight at a social club in West Bromwich.
Peter Nightingale, 43, was cleared of the murder of Darren Jones but found guilty of his manslaughter after a two-week trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.
Mr Jones, a father-of-eight, died of severe head injuries shortly after being taken to hospital from the Greets Green Social Club on February 26 this year.
The 42-year-old victim had gone to the club for a drink with a friend, when he became involved in a fight with Nightingale and was punched and kicked after falling to the floor.
Nightingale, of South Road, Tipton, was arrested in the early hours of the following morning.
Speaking after sentence was passed, Detective Sergeant Rob Bastin, who led the investigation, said: "This was a tragic case where a fight inside a club has gone too far.
"Darren lost his life when he was brutally attacked and wasn't able to defend himself after having a few drinks.
"As an ex-boxer, Nightingale would have been aware of his own strength, but this did not deter him from the sustained assault on his victim.
"Whilst disappointed with the outcome, Darren's family can hopefully take some comfort from seeing today's sentence being passed and, as ever, our thoughts are with them as they continue to come to terms with what has happened."
Nightingale claimed the vacant Midland welterweight crown in April 1999.
In a statement issued by West Midlands Police, the victim's family said: "Darren's death has left our family devastated beyond words; children have been robbed of a loving father and grandfather and their lives will never be the same.
"Life seems to have stood still for us since February 26 and part of us died along with him."
