'Knockout saved Ingle's life'

Paul Ingle would have died had he not come out for the 12th and final round of Saturday's controversial world featherweight title fight in Sheffield, according to his trainer Steve Pollard.

Ingle regained consciousness today for the first time since an operation to remove a blood clot from his brain, but Pollard then revealed a conversation with consultant neuro-surgeon Robert Battersby.

Battersby, who carried out the emergency treatment of Ingle at Sheffield's Royal Hallamshire Hospital, watched a video of Ingle's bout with South African Mbulelo Botile and told Pollard that it was a blessing in disguise Ingle had fought on rather than be retired by his corner.

Pollard said: "Mr Battersby's expert opinion is Paul was injured before the 12th round. If he hadn't got knocked out, Paul would have finished on his feet, gone home and received no medical treatment such as a brain scan.

"He would have been seen by a doctor who would have given him an examination, but he certainly wouldn't have had a scan on his head.

"If he had left the arena without the scan he would have gone back to his hotel, said 'hello' to a few people, he would have gone up to his room and the next day he would have been brown bread. It is as simple as that.

"He would have been dead without one question of a doubt - and that is from the top neurological doctor in this country. Paul would have been dead had he not been knocked out."

Pollard was answering criticism that he should have withdrawn the champion from the fight before he was knocked out 20 seconds into the 12th round by Botile.

Ingle's manager Frank Maloney said the 28-year-old from Scarborough remains in a critical but stable condition. However, after opening his eyes this morning, Ingle had moved a hand and wiped his own nose and mouth.

"That is a good sign," said Maloney, who announced that the Sports Network stable run by promoter Frank Warren and himself were responding to the Ingle tragedy by setting up their own working party to help boxers prepare properly for fights.

In particular, boxers signed to Sports Network will receive advice on dehydration from qualified dieticians.

Dehydration, especially at the lower weights, is thought to be one cause of brain injuries among boxers, although Pollard insisted Ingle had prepared for his world championship clash with Botile by undergoing a strict training regime that included regular checks on his weight.