Nick Blackwell confirms career over but bears no malice against Chris Eubank Jnr

Nick Blackwell has revealed he is resigned to retirement, because he “cannot put my friends and family through that again”.

The former British middleweight champion has made encouraging progress since being placed in an induced coma having collapsed shortly after being stopped in the 10th round of last month’s fight with Chris Eubank Jnr.

He was found to have suffered a bleed on the skull but woke a fortnight ago without requiring an operation and has been pictured looking well and enjoying the company of loved ones from his hospital bed.