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Chris Eubank Jr insists Nick Blackwell fight will not affect him as he prepares for Tom Doran bout at 02 Arena

British middleweight champion will box for the first time since putting Nick Blackwell in a coma at Wembley in March

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CHRIS EUBANK Jr says he will show ‘no mercy’ to Tom Doran on Saturday despite almost killing previous opponent Nick Blackwell in his last visit to the ring.

The British champion battered Blackwell into a tenth-round stoppage in March, leaving a grotesque swelling on the plucky puncher’s brow.

 Chris Eubank Jr takes part in a public workout at York Hall on Tuesday
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Chris Eubank Jr takes part in a public workout at York Hall on TuesdayCredit: Reuters

Moments after the decision, Blackwell slipped to the canvas, suffered bleeding on his skull and was put in an induced coma.

The now-retired fighter claims to have flat-lined during the medical emergency, though he didn’t need surgery.

This weekend Eubank makes his return against unbeaten Doran, 28, on the undercard of Anthony Joshua's IBF heavyweight title defence against Dominic Breazeale.

 Eubank Jr will return to the ring for the first time since his fight with Nick Blackwell
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Eubank Jr will return to the ring for the first time since his fight with Nick BlackwellCredit: Reuters
 The British middleweight champion insists he will be unaffected by the Blackwell bout
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The British middleweight champion insists he will be unaffected by the Blackwell boutCredit: Reuters

And the son of ex-middleweight boss Chris says his close call with tragedy will not stunt his growth into a world champion.

He told “I'm not going to let a situation like what happened in my last fight affect my future performances.

"Something like that might affect someone's fighting style and mindset. For me, I've used it to fuel myself even more.

"I'm in there to win, defend myself and attack, and to further my career, so there is no mercy.

"It's the referee's job. It's not for me to have to say I should ease up."

 Eubank Jr will take on Tom Doran on Saturday night at the O2 Arena
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Eubank Jr will take on Tom Doran on Saturday night at the O2 ArenaCredit: Reuters
 Eubank Jr is put through his paces at an open workout in Bethnal Green
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Eubank Jr is put through his paces at an open workout in Bethnal GreenCredit: AP:Associated Press