The British Boxing Board of Control has announced that Nick Blackwell's trainer, who authorized an unsanctioned sparring session despite Blackwell only recovering from brain surgery months prior, will have his license withdrawn.
In a statement, the BBBofC not only stripped trainer Liam Wilkins' license, but also suspended boxer Hasan Karkadi, the boxer who sparred with Blackwell, eventually causing more complications and Blackwell eventually fell into a coma.
Following a hearing before the Stewards of the British Boxing Board of Control on Wednesday, 11th January 2017 the following decisions have been made:-
Trainer/second Liam Wilkins:- The Stewards of the Board unanimously concluded that Mr. Wilkins conduct was detrimental to the interests of boxing in permitting Boxer Hasan Karkardi to spar with ex-licensed Boxer Nick Blackwell and in view of the seriousness thereof it is not in the interests or welfare of boxing for him to hold a trainers licence.
It follows that Mr. Wilkins licence is withdrawn.
Boxer Hasan Karkadi:- The Stewards unanimously concluded that Mr. Karkardi’s conduct in sparring with ex-Boxer Nick Blackwell was not in the interests of boxing and that his licence to box should be suspended for six months from the 11th January 2017.
Blackwell woke up from his coma last month and he has been said to be in better conditions, according to his brother. Blackwell's boxing license had been withdrawn before the sparring session and after collapsing at the end of his defeat by Chris Eubank Jr. last March.
In the fight against Eubank, Blackwell was found to have suffered a bleed on the skull and was put into an induced coma. The 26-year-old is a former British champion in the middleweight division. After his fight with Eubank, Blackwell retired from the sport with a 19-4-1 record.
