Nick Blackwell Wakes Up From Coma

Nick Blackwell, who had been suffering in a coma for the past few months, has finally awoken and is said to be in much better conditions.

According to Blackwell’s brother Daniel, Nick is “smiling again” and is in a stable condition. Daniel told the Associated Press Nick is doing much better, but noted his rehabilitation will take a long time.

“Nick is doing well considering the damage he has had,” Daniel Blackwell said. “He’s looking around, moving his arms and legs, and is drinking, eating and smiling again. Rehab is going to take a long time, but he has done amazingly well so far.”

Blackwell has regained consciousness after having undergone surgery to remove part of his skull to ease the swelling on his brain sustained during an unsanctioned sparring session held last month.

The British Boxing Board of Control has since been investigating the circumstances surrounding the sparring session and plan to hold a hearing in January. Blackwell’s boxing license had been withdrawn before the sparring session and after collapsing at the end of his defeat by Chris Eubank Jr. in March. In the fight against Eubank, he was found to have suffered a bleed on the skull and was put into an induced coma.

The 26-year-old is a former British champion in the middleweight division. After his fight with Eubank, Blackwell retired from the sport with a 19-4-1 record.