Nick Blackwell slams 'inhuman, disgusting' Eubanks for post-bout reaction

ByPA Sport

Updated 23/05/2016 at 09:49 GMT

Nick Blackwell has criticised the "inhuman" reaction of Chris Eubank Jnr and his father following the British middleweight clash which left him fighting for his life.

Nick Blackwell (R) and Chris Eubank Jnr compete for the British Middleweight Title at the SSE Arena, Wembley, London, March 26, 2016

Image credit: Reuters

Blackwell was placed in an induced coma having collapsed shortly after being stopped in March's fight with Eubank Jnr.

The 25-year-old, who has since retired, was found to have suffered a bleed on the skull but woke after a week without requiring an operation.

He continues to step up his recovery from the punishing duel, but the fighter from Trowbridge says he has also been hurt by the reaction of the Eubanks in the immediate aftermath.

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Blackwell claims the Eubanks were trying to "grab as much attention as they could" and "make themselves look like the good guys".

Blackwell told The Sun: "I haven't any hard feelings about the fight because you're in there to win and try and hurt someone - it's just the stuff he has done after. It's inhuman, it's disgusting.

"My family and friends were begging them not to talk, but they ignored it.

Nick Blackwell talks to Chris Eubank Sr before collapsing

Image credit: Reuters

"I've only just been shown the press conference and I know exactly what happened. It isn't human what they've done.

"I was still in a coma but they went ahead and did it.

Nick Blackwell has criticised the Eubanks for their post-fight reactions

"That's the Eubanks, isn't it? They just want attention, no matter if it's a bad or a good thing.

"If Chris Jnr was in a coma and I wanted to do a press conference on the Tuesday and their family was begging me not to do it, I would not do it.

"My promoter was begging Chris Snr. The Boxing Board of Control rang him and begged him not to do it."

Eubank Jnr stopped Blackwell in the 10th round after Eubank Snr had advised his son to avoid aiming for the head and instead concentrate his efforts on the body at the end of the eighth round at Wembley Arena.

Chris Eubank Jr after beating Nick Blackwell

Image credit: Reuters

The 49-year-old was praised for his actions at the time, but Blackwell said: "The people who saved my life were the referee, the person who put me in the coma and the people at St Mary's Hospital. The Eubanks didn't save my life.

"Chris Jnr was asked later if he'd pick the belt or my health. He refused to answer.

"I'm not being funny, but someone's health and life is more important.

"The night of the fight he went partying. He was celebrating. You've won the title, fine, you can go out and celebrate.

"I would have wanted to go to the hospital and be by his side until he woke up."

Nick Blackwell is treated after collapsing in the ring

Image credit: Reuters

Eubank Jnr defended his actions, saying: "People and media demanded that we speak to them. If we had just said 'No comment' it would have come off as cold."

The 26-year-old told The Sun: "If Nick is part of the small percentage that took offence, that's unfortunate. It's sad for me to hear something like that.

"All I have ever wanted for Nick has been the best.

"The fight was all the publicity that was needed. It was a great British tussle and such a shame it ended like that. Anything that happened after that was not for our gain.

"People deserve our side of the story and our perspective on things - that's all it was."

The Eubanks were unavailable for comment when contacted by Press Association Sport on Monday.