The Trowbridge middleweight lost his British title to Chris Eubank Jr in a brutal contest at Wembley Arena. The referee stepped in to have the doctor look at the eye and the doctor stopped the fight after examining the swelling.
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Reporter George Gigney for Boxing News Online had already suggested the match needed to end during round seven: “His trainer, Gary Lockett, must surely consider pulling [Blackwell] out”.
The verbals that have surrounded the build-up to the fight were again evident in the ring, with Blackwell goading Eubank Jr. while landing plenty of left hand counters of his own to the delight of the majority of the vociferous crowd. The undefeated Hatfield star is hoping to witness Eubank Jr’s second career loss. Eubank, who looked to stand an inch or two taller, kept his cool, smiling while a grinning Blackwell hurled taunts in his direction.
Eubank came out fast in round seven and he appeared to spend energy trying to finish the fight.
Blackwell received medical attention in the ring before being taken away while receiving oxygen.
The arena fell silent and Eubank Jr was respectful as he curtailed his celebrations as soon as he released the worrying scenes in the opposite corner. Cousin Hughie Fury was in the co-main event spot facing Dominick Guinn. The doctor recommended the stoppage, and the fight was over at 2:21 of that round.
The incident provoked memories of Eubank’s famous father, Chris Snr, who was the opponent when Michael Watson suffered life-changing injuries in their WBO middleweight title fight at White Hart Lane in 1991.
Welterweight 6 Rounds: Ricky Boylan over Lukasz Janik on PTS (60-55).
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Super Welter 6 Rounds: Peter McDonagh over Arvydas Trizno on PTS (60-55).
