THE family of Nick Blackwell are remaining positive after it was reported by the BBC this morning that the retired boxer is still unable to walk.

The ex-British middleweight champion from Trowbridge sustained a serious head injury and was placed in a coma after taking part in an ill-advised sparring session in November.

He was taken out of his coma just before Christmas and is now on a long road to recovery, which could take a whole year, but it is expected that he will eventually be able to walk again.

Dad John Blackwell said: “We’re still positive but it’s going to take a while. People think that because he’s out of his coma now he’ll suddenly be out and about, but that’s far from the case.

“His nurses are very positive too and say that he’s ahead of schedule because he’s a naturally strong person.

“He’s currently doing physiotherapy and hydrotherapy which he finds very tiring.

“He can walk a few yards at a time but only supported by a frame, there’s no way he’d be able to walk unassisted just yet.

“We just have to take each day as it comes and hope he carries on how he’s going.”

A hearing into the unsanctioned sparring session conducted by the British Boxing Board of Control is being held in Cardiff today (Wednesday).

It was hoped Blackwell would attend but he was not well enough to do so.