By Elliot Foster

Erik Skoglund has been placed in a coma after suffering a bleed on the brain.

The super-middleweight was due to fight in London next weekend against Rocky Fielding for the vacant WBC Silver title.

But the Swede was forced to wait to enter the ring after the December 17 fight night, at the O2 Arena, exclusively live on Sky Sports Box Office, was postponed after David Haye withdrew from his main event heavyweight rematch against Tony Bellew.

Skoglund, 26, was sparring earlier this week in preparation for a ring return, having not been in there since his September defeat to Callum Smith in the quarter-final of the World Boxing Super Series, but he suffered an injury.

As a result of the injury suffered, it has now been confirmed that, Skoglund was forced to undergo emergency surgery to repair a bleed on the brain after being placed in a medically induced coma.

A statement from his promoters, Team Sauerland, who describe themselves as “heartbroken” given recent events, read: “As previously reported, Erik Skoglund was taken to hospital yesterday having felt ill after a training session in his hometown of Nyköping.

“Erik was placed in a medically induced coma and underwent surgery last night to repair a bleed on the brain. Doctors are pleased with the results and Erik remains in a serious yet stable condition.

“The next three to four days are critical for his recovery. During this time, we ask that everyone respect the privacy of Erik and his family. We will communicate further information when it becomes available.”