DEVIZES trainer Liam Wilkins has been suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control for his part in the sparring incident that put Nick Blackwell back in hospital.

Trowbridge’s Blackwell’s boxing career was brought to an end in March when he suffered a bleed on his skull during his defeat to Chris Eubank Jr at Wembley Arena, with the 26-year-old going on to spend seven days in an induced coma.

Late last month, Blackwell, who was told he could never box or spar again, was hospitalised for a second time after taking part in a sparring session, and it has emerged that the former British middleweight champion was injured in a four-round practice with light-heavyweight Hasan Karkardi at Devizes Amateur Boxing Club.

Iranian Karkardi has also been immediately suspended by British boxing’s governing body alongside 21-year-old Wilkins, who earned his trainer’s license in February this year, with the board due to hold a hearing into the incident in January.

Karkadi’s Southern Area title-fight against Chris Hobbs on Saturday has been shelved and two other unidentified boxers, who were present when Blackwell was injured, have been called to give evidence.

The stricken Blackwell underwent surgery following his return to hospital last month but is understood to have been taken off sedation, with his condition last described as stable.