Liam Wilkins loses licence as boxing board acts over Nick Blackwell sparring session

Trainer Liam Wilkins has had his licence withdrawn by the British Boxing Board of Control following an unsanctioned sparring session which left Nick Blackwell fighting for his life in hospital.

Wilkins oversaw the sparring session with Hasan Karkardi in November, eight months after Blackwell retired from boxing after he suffered a bleed on the skull and was put into an induced coma following a fight with Chris Eubank Jnr.

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Following a hearing, which Blackwell was too ill to attend, the Board also announced that they have suspended the licence of Karkardi, a light-heavyweight who has won seven and lost one of his eight professional contests to date.

The BBBofC statement described Wilkins' conduct as "detrimental to the interests of boxing", and added: "In view of the seriousness thereof it is not in the interests or welfare of boxing for him to hold a trainer's licence."

Blackwell is reportedly unable to walk and faces up to a year before he makes a full recovery, while the 26-year-old also faces further surgery to replace part of his skull which was removed.

Robert Smith, the BBBofC secretary, had expressed his incredulity at Blackwell's behaviour when it first emerged in November.

"He made a remarkable recovery and for somebody to go and do what he's done, for what I thought was a very sensible young man, is just beyond belief."

Announcing his retirement in April, Blackwell had said: "I can't put my friends and family and self through that again, but I'll still be involved."