Former British middleweight champion Nick Blackwell to raise money for nurses who supported him during his coma at Kelly Morgan’s title fight next month

FORMER British middleweight champion Nick Blackwell will be the guest of honour at Kelly Morgan’s WBC Silver title fight in Swindon next month.

The 25-year-old, who recently lost his Lonsdale belt to Chris Eubank JR, retired from boxing after his bout in March left him in an induced coma following a bleed on the skull.

The Trowbridge fighter, who was due to be at David Haye’s latest contest on Saturday night after the former world heavyweight champion raised £50,000 for him, will be appearing the Grange Drive Leisure Centre looking to raise money for the nurses who helped get him back on his feet.

Having boxed on the Neilsons’ white collar shows before both parties went professional, Blackwell will be auctioning off some signed memorabilia on June 10.

“We do have a special guest coming on the evening, who is close to us as family,” said Neilson Boxing’s Antony Neilson.

“Back in the day he was part of our previous shows years ago and it great to announce that we have got Nick Blackwell coming on the evening to show his support.

“Everyone knows that recently he fought Eubank Jr and had an unfortunate end to his fight and he decided to retire from boxing.

“One of the things that he has decided to do is sign some memorabilia bring it to the show and auction it off on the evening and donate that money to the nurses that helped him through his trauma.

“He was just so gobsmacked by their support.”

The New Beginning show, which is Neilson Boxing’s first foray into the professional arena, will be headlined by Morgan’s WBC bout against Ghanaian Gifty Ankrah, while stablemate Ryan Martin is the chief support at the Stratton St Margaret venue, facing Arvydas Trizno.

“It is cracking venue,” said Mark Neilson. “I’m sure that we will sell it out and we’ll raise the roof and there will be a cracking atmosphere.

“Headlining we have got our own Kelly Morgan, who is hopefully having a massive year this year, and she is challenging for the WBC female Silver middleweight championship over 10 two minute rounds.

“She is currently ranked six in the world by the WBC after only three fights and she faces Gifty Ankrah, who is currently ranked seven.

“It is a tough fight, but she is training really well and camp is going really well.

“The chief support will be the undefeated ex-amaetur star Ryan Martin, he faces Arvydas Trizno.

“Ryan hasn’t fought since October for a number of reasons and is anxious to get back in action against a tough and durable opponent.”

Also on the show is unbeaten super-lightweight Akeem ‘Riiddy’ Ennis Brown, Gloucester veteran Andy Harris, former white-collar light-heavyweight fighter Ross Alexander and Plymouth’s Des Newton, who is making his debut in the lightweight division.

Tickets for the show are available from www.neilsonboxing.co.uk.

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