Liverpool boxer Carl Wright's condition was yesterday described by doctors as "seriously ill, but improving slowly." The bulletin from the Walton Centre of Neurology and Neurosurgery did not actually confirm that Wright had regained consciousness, but it is reported that he has.

Boxing Board of Control secretary John Morris said: "We are delighted that Carl Wright is making progress and we are leaving any announcement about his condition to the hospital.

"They appear to have done an excellent job for Carl and we will rely entirely on what they have to say about him."

Trainer Colin Moorcroft, who rushed the boxer straight to the Walton hospital after being taken ill following his fight in Sheffield on October 11th, has said that Wright responded with an emotional reaction after being shown a picture of his three-year-old son Jordan.

Wright (28) was out-pointed in a vacant British light-welterweight title fight against Antrim's Mark Winters at the Sheffield Arena, and in the early hours of the following morning underwent surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain.