Relief as Eastman expected to make full recovery

on October 27, 2008 by Administrator

The world of boxing breathed a sigh of relief earlier this week after it was revealed that Gilbert Eastman is expected to make a full recovery following brain surgery to remove a blood clot.

The British light-middleweight boxer was rushed to a hospital in London following his eight-round match with Sam Webb last Friday.

The pair were fighting on the undercard of the European bantamweight title clash between Ian Napa and Carmelo Ballone. Eastman, who is a former Commonwealth welterweight title challenger, appeared to be fine whilst competing in the ring but later collapsed in the dressing room whilst getting changed.

Doctors initially feared that the Londoner had sustained a serious neck injury and put a neck collar on him whilst transporting him to hospital. However, Eastman’s trainer, Winston Fuller, later revealed that doctors had discovered that one of his blood vessels was leaking into his brain.

Specialists removed the blood clot straight away and Eastman’s wife, Patrice, has spoken publicly about his progress, saying “he can now move all of his limbs”.

She continued to reveal that the boxer is able to speak but has been encouraged by doctors to take it easy for a long while. Frank Maloney, the legendary boxing promoter, has been to visit Eastman and was keen to wish him a speedy recovery.

This is not the first time that the boxer has suffered a brain problem. In 1999, he was stripped of his licence following a bruise on his brain but, following a thorough medical in 2002, he got it back.