Two Sheffield boxers run themselves into the ground tonight for Nick Blackwell

Sheffield boxers Etches (right) and Brook, with Star man Bob Westerdale

IBF world champion Brook and his close pal Etches are staging the 24 hour hour event at Napoleon's Casino, Owlerton, to raise funds for stricken Blackwell.

They are running ten minutes on, ten minutes off on the exercise machine.

And they will be at it until 3pm on Sunday!

A fund to raise money for Blackwell, critically hurt in his British middleweight title defeat by Chris Eubank Jnr, is growing by the minute.

And the Sheffield pair are happy they can contribute to it.

Birley Bomber Etches said : "It is a sad thing that has happened.

"Nick is a good fighter and a nice lad so it is nice to try and get a bit of something back for him.

"First and foremost (I hope) he's alright. I am sure he will be, but it'll be a hard time for him.

"We will raise (money) for him whatever we can.

Etches said the Napoleon's event helped keep himself and Brook fit and "raises a good few quid for Nick."

As Brook's next opponent - which is far from certain, Etches said: "Kell's time will come.

"He has a good team around him, fingers crossed the big fights will come."

Brook said he was happy to do the challenge - although it was not one he'd seen coming. It was only last Saturday that he made a third successful defence of his world title, at the Sheffied Arena, stopping Kevin Bizier.

Meanwhile heavyweight David Haye has offered at least £50,000 to help Blackwell begin life after boxing.

The management team of Blackwell says there is no agreed timetable on bringing him out of the induced coma.