BOXING has had a tough few weeks since Nick Blackwell’s unsuccessful defence of his British middleweight title.

The 25-year-old spent nine days in an induced coma after losing to Chris Eubank Jr in London on March 26.

To the relief of everyone, Blackwell appears to be making a full recovery and should be on his way home from hospital soon.

But the incident had plenty of armchair critics pointing the finger at Blackwell’s trainer – Cwmbran’s Gary Lockett – for not stopping the fight and others calling for boxing to be banned.

I’ve never met Trowbridge fighter Blackwell but I’ve known Lockett for the best part of a decade and there are few trainers who care more about their fighters than him.

Former WBO cruiserweight world champion Enzo Maccarinelli, who also trains with Lockett, told the BBC: "Gary's like a family member. He's a head of our family. I believe he did right and most boxers, most trainers, most managers fall on Gary's side.”

What is certain is that Blackwell’s bleed on the skull is a reminder of the risks boxers take every time they step into the ring.

But the action since then has been a reminder of the rewards on offer and the sporting drama boxing provides in spades.

Last week Newport’s Lee Churcher won the WBF Intercontinental middleweight belt in front of a few hundred people at the Pill Millennium Centre.

And on Saturday his St Joseph’s stablemate Lee Selby defended his IBF world featherweight title in front of thousands at the London’s O2 Arena.

On the same bill Anthony Joshua became Britain’s newest heavyweight champion of the world and this week St Joes youngster Joe Cordina hopes to book his place at the Rio Olympics.

Proof that, whatever the level and despite the very real risks, the sport has value.