British boxing claims the best medical standards in the world, yet it faces another crisis after the injuries suffered by Spencer Oliver. It is a mystery Boxing Board of Control secretary John Morris could not answer yesterday, especially as their medical rulebook has been constantly overhauled and improved since the Michael Watson tragedy in 1991.

"I don't know if I could put my finger on it," said Morris. "But on the other hand there is an awful lot of boxing in this country, far more than in the vast majority of other countries. These instances are rare."

Oliver underwent a three-hour operation to remove a blood clot at London's National Neurological and Neuro-Surgery Hospital after being stopped in the 10th round of his European super-bantamweight title defence against the Ukrainian Sergei Devakov at the Royal Albert Hall. His condition yesterday was described as "critical but stable."