HE may have spent the lion’s share of the build-up to the fight of his life across the Severn Bridge but moments after becoming a British champion, Nick Blackwell’s thoughts immediately turned to a hometown friend fighting a battle even tougher than his own.

After beating John Ryder to win the British middleweight title, a microphone was immediately thrust under an emotional Blackwell’s nose and as he attempting to convey his post-fight feelings, the Trowbridge man ensured that he paid tribute to friend Leoly Wyatt, who is battling cancer for the second time.

Wyatt used to muck in at Blackwell’s Trowbridge flat and the new champ is hoping that his victory can help inspire his ‘second mum’ to come out on top of her struggle.

“She was my cleaner at one point and she’s a really nice person,” said Blackwell.

“We’re really good mates and she cooks me food – she’s like a second mum to me.

“She had cancer years ago. When she was cleaning, she was saying ‘Nick, I feel really tired’ and she went to the hospital and found out she had cancer again.

“She had all the chemo and all her hair fell out, and I thought I’d put it out there.

“She already fought it once and she could fight it again. It was just to cheer her up and put positive thoughts in her head.”