A FORMER Welsh boxing champion is in hospital fighting for her life after fracturing her skull in a fall.

Rachael Buckland, 25, is in an induced coma at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, after sustaining a serious head injury from falling down the stairs just over a week ago.

Mrs Buckland, a former bantamweight Welsh champion is married to Newport's undefeated Celtic boxing champion Mitchell Buckland, 23.

The boxing couple have two children together; two-year-old Lorenzo and one-year-old Ella-Rose.

The mother-of-two sustained a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain after she hit her head on the floor at home in St Mellons.

Mrs Buckland, originally from Magor, who is a chef at the Tom Toya Lewis pub in Newport met her husband while training at the St Joseph's boxing gym in Newport.

Tony Borg, boxing coach at St Joseph's, said: "The doctors were hoping the swelling would go down on its own but overnight on Thursday Rachael had an emergency operation. She's stable but it's a waiting game at the moment.

"Mitch is distraught - he can't speak. He's at the hospital with all the family.

"It's affected everybody at the gym we're trying to keep focus for Mitch; he rings a few times a day with any updates - we want to keep positive for him."

A fundraising page has been set up to help the family which has so far raised more than £1,000.

Mr Borg added: "We're trying to do what we can. They are a young couple with two young children. What they are going through now is unreal."

On Wednesday, the Tom Toya Lewis pub on Commercial Street, will be holding an all-day fundraiser.

Alison Harrison, a friend and colleague of Mrs Buckland, said: "It has really shaken us all up - we can't believe it to be honest. It was really shocking.

"Rachael has such a wicked personality and is such a fun person to work with. We just want to do something to help. "

Staff at the pub along with boxers from the gym will be taking part in a sponsored ride on an exercise bike which will be situated at the pub. In the evening there will be a quiz starting at 7.30pm with the winner receiving a bottle of Moet.

There will also be a raffle and St Joseph's gym have organised an auction of sports memorabilia to be sold to raise funds including a gold pair of gloves signed by British champion Andrew Selby.

To donate visit http://bit.ly/2egQGTZ