Chris Eubank Jr. is set to face off against long-time rival Conor Benn this Saturday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in what promises to be a highly charged showdown.  However, as anticipation builds for the bout, a somber reminder from Eubank Jr.’s past has resurfaced on social media—the harrowing story of Nick Blackwell.

Blackwell faced Eubank Jr. in 2016, a brutal contest that left him with a life-altering brain injury and brought his professional boxing career to an abrupt end. Now, over nine years later, a pressing question lingers: has Blackwell fully recovered from the trauma? That, too, after suffering not just one, but two serious brain injuries.

How did Nick Blackwell suffer two brain injuries?

Former British middleweight champion Nick Blackwell suffered two brain injuries in 2016. While one came from his fight against Chris Eubank Jr., the other was entirely avoidable. On March 26th, 2016, Blackwell was defending his British middleweight title against Eubank Jr at Wembley Arena. The then 25-year-old endured a brutal 10 rounds of his 12-round fight, taking relentless punishment, especially to his head. from Eubank Jr. Chris Eubank Sr., who was in his son’s corner, had even asked his son to stop targeting Blackwell’s head due to the fear of what might happen. Having been in the same place for his fight with Michael Watson in 1991, Eubank Sr. knew what could go wrong. However, the fight continued. But after the 10th round, the ringside physician noticed severe swelling over Blackwell’s left eye and stopped the fight. This led to Blackwell losing the fight via technical knockout, but shortly after, Blackwell collapsed in the ring and was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital. It was then that scans revealed a small bleed on his brain, and Blackwell was put under an induced coma to manage the swelling.

Even though the injury had forced Blackwell into early retirement and his boxing license was taken, once back on his feet, he participated in an unsanctioned sparring session, which led to a second, more devastating brain injury. In November 2016, mere seven months after the fight, he entered the ring for an unsanctioned sparring session. During this session, he suffered another brain injury and collapsed.

It was later revealed that the second injury resulted in even more severe swelling. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, and surgeons removed part of his skull to relieve pressure on his brain. Blackwell was put under another induced coma, with doctors warning of a high risk of death or paralysis. The British Boxing Board of Control condemned the sparring session, highlighting the dangers. But the question is, how is Blackwell doing today?

Has Blackwell recovered from his brain injuries? 

Nick Blackwell has not fully recovered from his brain injuries, though he has made significant progress since. He still lives with long-term effects, including memory loss, no vision on his left side, and no movement in his left foot or toes. “Everything has had to change,” he confessed. “I can no longer do boxing, can’t drive a car anymore, I need help with cooking and day-to-day life.”

He also experiences fatigue, disorientation, and needs daily support from his partner. “I get tired easily and most days need an afternoon nap, as I suppose my brain must work harder than others.” Despite these challenges, Nick remains resilient. “I’m not the same Nick I used to be,” he admitted, “but I never gave up.” 

Through his social media, he now raises awareness about brain injuries, showing both his struggles and determination. “As long as there are more positives than negatives, you’re winning.” Ahead of Eubank Jr.’s fight, Blackwell met his former rival and even posed for pictures with Eubank Jr., against whom he holds no ill will.

That said, incidents like these are rare, but when they do occur, they leave a lasting impact not only on the boxer but also on everyone around them. Fans continue to hope for Blackwell’s full recovery and look forward to hearing more from him in the future. What are your thoughts on his journey and the challenges he’s faced?