Eduard Gutknecht: Nick Blackwell prays German boxer can make a full recovery after enduring similar life-threatening injury back in March
German boxer collapsed with a bleed to the brain 30 minutes after his points defeat to George Groves
NICK BLACKWELL is desperate that Eduard Gutknecht can follow his lead and make a full recovery after he was rushed to hospital following his bout with George Groves.
Gutknecht collapsed 30 minutes after his points defeat to the Brit and remains in a critical but stable condition.
The 39-year-old remains heavily sedated and doctors are keeping a close eye on his progress after undergoing surgery for a bleed on the brain.
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The horrific injury casts memories of former British middleweight champion Blackwell who was placed in a medically induced coma for a week.
Blackwell was forced to retire after his fight against Chris Eubank Jnr following bleeding between his skull and brain.
And Blackwell, who is now a boxing trainer, hopes he can come on of the other side.
He said: "I just hope he can come out the other side like I did and make a full recovery.
"You are in there doing something you love and the fighter in you means you don't want to give up.
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"Every second is crucial when these things happen and we have got one of the best medical teams in sport for good reason because you are getting punched in the head.
"They do a great job and they haven't put a foot wrong here again.
"We are all now hoping he can pull through and comes out the other side to get back to his normal self."
Gutknecht is being treated in the same London hospital that took care of Blackwell back in March.
After learning of the German's emergency operation Groves also shared his concern over social media.
The WBA International champ said: "We were all deeply concerned to hear that he was taken to hospital after the fight.
“I sincerely hope it is nothing too serious and I would like to send out all my support and best wishes to him and his family.”
In September, Scottish welterweight Mike Towell died just 25 hours after losing to Dale Evans in Glasgow. He had suffered bleeding and swelling to his brain.