Sheffield boxers Brook and Etches launch fund-raiser for Nick Blackwell

Two of Sheffield's top boxers are to stage a gruelling 24-hour exercise session to raise funds for stricken fighter Nick Blackwell.
Adam EtchesAdam Etches
Adam Etches

The middleweight was placed in an induced coma after collapsing shortly after losing his British title in a bout against Chris Eubank Jr at Wembley’s SSE arena.

World champion Kell Brook, aged 29, and Adam Etches, 25, are so concerned for the 25-year-old that they are organising a sponsored ‘ten-minute-on ten-minute-off’ treadmill run, for an entire day.

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Details are still being arranged, but it is likely to be held at Napoleon’s Casino, Owlerton starting Saturday.

Etches said: “Kell and I want to help out as much as we can.

“I don’t know exactly whether Nick will box again, nobody does, but it seems unlikely so we will be trying to get as much financial support to him as we can.

“Nick is rival of mine in the middleweight division but he has always been very respectful to me and we are all hoping and praying he will make a total recovery.”

Kell BrookKell Brook
Kell Brook
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Both Sheffield men were fighting at the Arena, last weekend - but rest is not an option.

“Twenty four hours on a treadmill won’t be too bad, it will keep us focused and stop us putting any weight on!

“We’ll take a bit of blender food when we can and keep it going” said Etches.

Etches, known as the Birley Bomber, has no time for those calling for boxing to be banned after Blackwell’s bleed-on-the-brain injury.

Kell BrookKell Brook
Kell Brook
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“People aren’t banned from going on holiday because of plane crashes. Boxing is a dangerous sport, but everybody who goes into it knows the risks.”

It is a view shared by Sheffield’s Jerome Wilson, 31, who had to retire from the sport after suffering a head injury leading to a ten-day medically-induced coma.

Want to help? Go to https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/warriorblackwell?utm_id=89