Nick Blackwell family overcome 'months of doom and gloom'

The 26-year-old almost died in the wake of losing his British middleweight title to Chris Eubank Jr in March last year and in November he was in a coma following a prohibited sparring session.

Nine months on from that fateful incident, his father John told the Wiltshire Times that his son is making great strides from where he was earlier this year.

“It was doom and gloom earlier this year. What he has done in the last four to five months, in terms of progression, is just incredible,” said Mr Blackwell.

“He is improving every day but it is a very long road to recovery. He can walk now with the aid of a walking stick, although he uses a wheelchair most of the time.

“It reminds me a little bit like when he was a kid. He is eager to get on with it but we have to slow him down at times. He still has got to be careful and have that assistance just in case he does have an accident.

“He is eating and drinking well. All his faculties are coming back and he can speak fine as well.” The winter was a dark time for us but we are much more optimistic now.”

Nick is visited by his family in Bristol, where he is having his rehabilitation, several times a week.

“We cannot ask for much more from the team there, they are excellent. They are very hands on and encouraging,” said Mr Blackwell.

“He has had some trouble with his ankle, so they help him with that. They also help with his core and regaining his strength. On top of that he does hydrotherapy sessions in the swimming pool.

“Everyone is taking it day by day. Four to five months ago we were not optimistic at all but now we are hopeful for the future.

“Nick is not following boxing much at the moment. We fill him in but we do not talk about it that much.

“He will not be ready to come home for a while. It is too soon to say whether he will make a full recovery. We hope that he can continue making the progress he has made since the winter.”