Nick Blackwell has woken from the induced coma he was placed in following a British middleweight title defeat by Chris Eubank Jr, the former champion’s promoter said on Monday.
Blackwell, 25, collapsed shortly after his tenth-round stoppage loss to Eubank Jr at London’s Wembley Arena on March 26.
He was then taken to London’s St Mary’s Hospital, where doctors placed Blackwell in an induced coma.
Photo: Reuters
They subsequently reduced his medication, with Blackwell waking on Saturday, and talking to relatives and friends on Sunday.
VERY HAPPY’
Eubank Jr responded to Monday’s announcement by saying on Twitter: “Very happy to hear Nick Blackwell has awoken from his coma. Nick I’d like to come see you if possible, I’ve got something for you bro.”
Earlier, a statement released by Blackwell’s promoter, Hennessy Sports, said: “It was the outcome everyone had been hoping and praying for; Nick had won his toughest fight yet.”
“On behalf of Nick, his family and very close friends, we would like to thank everyone for their continued support and well-wishes. It has been overwhelming at times and has certainly not gone unnoticed,” it said.
“Nick Blackwell won the hearts of over 3 million [television] viewers on March 26 with an astonishing display of all-action bravery and determination. In the past week, however, he has humbled millions more. He is a fighter. He is a warrior. He is a true champion and gentleman,” it added.
FATHER’S ORDER
During the fight, Chris Eubank Sr, father of the new champion, could be heard telling his son to stop hitting Blackwell’s head.
“Even in sparring, I tell Junior to stay away from the head, because his punching is fast, powerful and dangerous,” said Chris Eubank Sr, a former middleweight and super-middleweight world champion. “So most certainly, I was saying this to protect the fighter.”
His ringside instructions were especially poignant as, 25 years ago, Chris Eubank Sr stopped Michael Watson in a world title fight that left his beaten opponent with irreparable brain damage and partially paralyzed.
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