Nick Blackwell was not well enough to attend a British Boxing Board of Control hearing in Cardiff on Wednesday into the unsanctioned sparring session which left him in a coma with swelling on his brain, Press Association Sport understands.

Former British middleweight champion Blackwell, 26, 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 in March.

Wiltshire-born Blackwell's boxing licence was withdrawn a month before the unsanctioned sparring session which took place in November.

The BBC reported on Wednesday that while Blackwell's health is improving he faces a long road to recovery.

Boxer Hasan Karkardi, who sparred with Blackwell, and trainer Liam Wilkins, who oversaw the session, were subsequently suspended by the BBBC.

The hearing was set to go ahead without Blackwell, with Karkardi and Wilkins expected to attend and discover whether they will face further sanctions.

LONDON - Mordon lightweight Craig Whyatt is ready to make 2017 his year, starting at the Westcroft Leisure Centre on Saturday 11th February.

Whyatt will features on the undercard of Lenny Daws’ challenge for the European Lightweight title against Anthony Yigit in the main event.

The 27-year-old faces Bexleyheath’s Josh Thorne in a four-round contest and believes a win will propel him towards a challenge for the Southern Area title, currently held by Michael Devine.

Although he only fought once last year - a shut-out four round points win over Luka Leskovic in April after coming back from a 16 month lay off due to a broken hand - electrician Whyatt is ready to spark his career this year.

“I can’t wait to get back into action on Saturday 11th February and get my career back to where it should be,” Said Whyatt.

“Suffering a broken hand in the Prizefighter tournament really set me back and then I only had one fight last year after some further fights fell through so it’s been really really tough, but I'm a fighter and I’ve got through it and now I’m just so excited to get in the ring again,”

“I’m facing Josh Thorne, who’s a good tough kid, but with the way I’ve been training and punching and the hunger I’ve got to move on quickly, I can’t see him lasting too long. As much as I want to get some rounds under my belt, I want to make an explosive statement that I’m back so I’ll be going all out to put on an explosive performance,”

“If I look good and win well then that will put me in line for a Southern Area title fight this year and that’s a belt I really want to get around my waist as it’s something I should have won a while ago.  Michael Devine’s got the belt and I’d take that fight in a heart beat.”

The European Lightweight Championship between Lenny Daws and Anthony Yigit headlines an action-packed card titled ‘EuroFighter’ that also features Clapham light-heavyweight Kirk Garvey, the Irish Welterweight Champion, Peter ‘The Connemara Kid’, unbeaten Wraysbury super-welterweight prospect Tony Bange, Roehampton welterweight Jamie Carley and the professional debut of Fabio Wardley.

Tickets, priced at £40 and £100 can be purchased through Ticketmaster online at: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/35005172B612815C or by phone on 0844 844 0444

Doors will open at 5.30pm, first fight is at 6pm. The last entry time for the public is 8pm.