Eduard Gutknecht 'still in coma' after George Groves defeat

German remains in a serious condition in hospital almost two weeks after fight against Groves, confirms British boxer as he sets up appeal in aid of opponent

Gutknecht's face was badly swollen and bruised following his defeat (Andrew Couldridge)

German Eduard Gutknecht remains in hospital almost two weeks after losing to George Groves, the British boxer confirmed.

Gutknecht, 34, collapsed in his dressing room after his defeat to Groves at Wembley on November 18, and needed eye surgery.

Groves, whose triumphed allowed him to retain his WBA International super-middleweight title, set up a fundraising appeal to help the boxer and his family.

Groves said in a statement on Wednesday: “Out of respect for Eduard and his family’s privacy I haven’t tweeted anything about his medical situation so far. However, he is still in hospital in a coma after having surgery the night of our fight.”


 Groves (left) and Gutknecht before their fight 
 (Andrew Couldridge)

Gutknecht’s injury is the second to occur at the same venue in eight months. In March, Nick Blackwell collapsed after being beaten by Chris Eubank Jnr. He suffered bleeding on his brain and was placed in an induced coma.

In September, Scottish welterweight Mike Towell died after losing to Dale Evans in Glasgow. He, too, had suffered severe bleeding and swelling to his brain.