British middleweight Nick Blackwell awoke from a medically induced coma Saturday and a day later was talking with family and close friends at his bedside, promoter Hennessy Boxing announced Monday.
On March 26, Blackwell took enormous punishment and suffered a head injury during a 10th-round knockout loss to Chris Eubank Jr., who claimed the British title at Wembley Arena in London. Blackwell (19-4-1, 8 KOs), 25, collapsed after the fight and was taken from the ring on a stretcher and to the hospital.
Doctors placed him in a medically induced coma to allow time for brain swelling to go down. According to Hennessy Boxing, Blackwell's bleeding was outside of his brain, on his skull, and not serious enough to warrant surgery.
"He was in an induced coma for almost seven days, given the very best possible treatment by the incredible team at St. Mary's Hospital, and the sedatives used were gradually reduced over this period of time," Hennessy Boxing said in a statement. "Finally, at the weekend, Nick woke from this induced coma, acknowledged the voices of loved ones and, by Sunday, was starting to talk. 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'd like to thank everyone for their continued support and well-wishes. It has been overwhelming at times and has certainly not gone unnoticed."
Blackwell was making his third British title defense when he met Eubank (22-1, 17 KOs). The fight was competitive for the first few rounds before Eubank took over and left Blackwell with awful swelling over his left eye, heavy bleeding from his nose and the head injury.