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23rd May 2016

Nick Blackwell’s family “begged” Eubank Jr not to hold press conference

His first TV interview

Tom Victor

Nick Blackwell has admitted he is “disappointed” with Chris Eubank Jr’s actions while he was in a coma.

He claims his opponent’s decision to hold a press conference within three days of their fight was made against the wishes of Blackwell’s family, who “begged” the Eubank camp to wait.

Eubank Jr’s father has defended the move, however, citing “public/media pressure”.

Blackwell suffered bleeding on the skull after the pair fought for the British middleweight title in March, and was placed in an induced coma by doctors.

But Eubank Jr opted to hold a press conference within three days of the bout, though he did later express a desire to visit the 25-year-old once Blackwell had awoken from his coma.

“If Eubank was in that situation and he was in a coma I would want to go and see him,” Blackwell told ITV‘s ‘Good Morning Britain’ show.

“The whole thing with the press conference, my family had begged them not to do it and they still went ahead.”

Blackwell announced his retirement from boxing in April, and is currently on the road to recovery.

Eubank Jr, meanwhile, will take on unbeaten Tom Doran in June.

Blackwell has received support from fans after his first TV interview, with many wishing the Trowbridge fighter for his post-boxing career.

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