Last year, social media buzzed with new photos of Nick Blackwell. On his social media handles, the former British middleweight champion posted two pictures showcasing his remarkable weight-loss transformation over the past four years. While the images delighted the fans, they also served as a poignant reminder of the significant challenges Blackwell has faced in recent years.

It’s been over eight years now since that fateful night that ended Nick Blackwell’s promising career. The Wiltshire-born boxer was not yet 26 when he fought Chris Eubank Jr. to defend his British middleweight title. Blackwell lost the bout and the title, but the consequences were far more severe than a mere defeat.

Nick Blackwell’s incredible boxing career, record, and titles

According to Blackwell, he wanted to become a boxer from age fourteen. Unlike many boxers, he chose to go professional without an extensive amateur career. He made his professional debut on June 26, 2009, and quickly established himself with a winning streak. By the following year, Nick Blackwell had won his first title, the English middleweight championship.

However, his attempt at a regional title, the WBA intercontinental Commonwealth belt, and the vacant British title ended in a first-career loss to fellow Briton Martin Murray. A very active boxer, he went on to win a couple of matches before Billy Joe Saunders thwarted another attempt at the Commonwealth and vacant British titles. By 2013 year-end, he suffered his third career loss. The Ukrainian Max Bursak took him the distance during the clash for the vacant WBA continental middleweight title.

But despite the setbacks, Nick Blackwell continued. His persistence paid off in 2015 when he defeated the future Canelo Alvarez opponent, John Ryder for the British middleweight championship. He defended the title twice that year before stepping into the ring opposite Chris Eubank Jr.

In his seven-year career, Nick Blackwell had fought 24 fights. While he won 19 of those, in 4 he suffered reversals, with one remaining ending in a draw. ‘Bang Bang’ secured eight of his victories through early stoppages.

What exactly happened to Nick Blackwell? Fight against Chris Eubank Jr.

The fight with Eubank Jr. took place on March 26, 2016. Chris Eubank’s son dominated the fight. By the tenth round, things came to a standstill when the ringside physician took notice of the swelling over Blackwell’s left eye that seemed to worsen. Finally, based on his call, it was decided to halt the bout. The match went in Chris Eubank Jr.’s favor by way of a technical knockout victory.

After the fight, Blackwell’s condition deteriorated rapidly. He lost consciousness and was rushed to St. Mary’s Hospital with a skull hemorrhage. Blackwell was subsequently put into a coma for medical reasons. It took him another weekend to regain consciousness.

Nick Blackwell’s second brain injury

Some ten months after the incident, believing that he was back to his good form, Nick Blackwell participated in a sparring session. He told Neuro Rehab Times (NR Times), “I felt like the old Nick again.” However, he soon experienced severe complications, including the inability to walk. “My love for boxing was too strong, and because I felt and looked 100%, I wrongly went sparring again and collapsed for a second time in the ring. This time things were serious and life-threatening,” he said in the interview with NR Times.

To alleviate the pressure on his brain, reportedly the doctors had to remove part of his skull. Thereafter, Blackwell was in a coma that lasted nearly a month. Recalling the phase, the former boxer said, “I was in a coma—for a longer period this time… I lost all feeling and vision down my left side; I was looking through people; I didn’t recognize anyone.”

How is Blackwell’s life now?

Despite the grim situation, Nick Blackwell was determined to fight back. And fight he did. He had bulked up considerably during the period. He even had to pick up the most basic of human activities, such as walking, talking, or eating, from scratch.

‘Bang Bang’ underwent a year-long rehabilitation program. Before starting his family life with his partner Lisa, he was living with his father, who helped him a lot dealing with the challenges. Though he had to rely on his partner’s help, gradually, over a period of time, Nick Blackwell began making public appearances. Fans saw him at the close friend Tyson’s first match against Deontay Wilder in 2018.

Now he has made it a mission to spread awareness about brain injury survivors. For this purpose, Nick Blackwell uses his social media accounts to reach out to the maximum number of people. “I would say keep going and never give up; it is really hard, I know, and some days will be harder than others, but you got this, and if I can do it, so can you. Take each day and remember brighter days are ahead,” said Nick Blackwell in his message. The ‘Bang Bang’s love for boxing continues.

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