The prognosis for British boxer Nick Blackwell has improved in recent days since he was placed in a medically induced coma after collapsing in the ring Saturday. Blackwell was injured during a fight against Chris Eubank Jr.
Fellow boxer Billy Joe Saunders, who accompanied Blackwell for the fight at Wembley Arena, provided an encouraging update on his friend Monday, saying the 25-year-old's father is confident he will make a recovery.
MORE: Greatest boxing, MMA upsets of past 25 years
"Spoke to Nick's Dad looking good he will be back to us in no time," Saunders tweeted. "Keep him in our thoughts and prayers God bless him and you all."
Blackwell suffered bleeding on his brain following the knockout, which cost him his British middleweight title, and he was taken to a hospital where he has remained in a coma.
The fight's referee, Victor Loughlin, has received criticism from some who believe he should have ended the bout much sooner. Eubank's father, Chris Sr., had entered the ring between rounds to tell his son to only aim punches at Blackwell's body in an effort to get Loughlin to end the bout.