Boxer "on the right track" after being stabbed in the chest

The condition of a talented young boxer who was stabbed in the chest on a night out is improving, say his family.

Anthony Dodson, 21, has been named by his family as one of three men wounded after a mass brawl which began on Victoria Street, Liverpool city centre, in the early hours of Wednesday. Shortly after 5.30am, police patrols came across Mr Dodson at the junction of Church Street and Whitechapel, and discovered he had sustained stab wounds to the chest.

The other two victims made their own way to hospital including a 21-year-old man, who is stable after suffering a stab wound to the back, and a 23-year-old man who suffered a laceration to the head.

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Merseyside Police said the men's injuries are linked to a disturbance which began in The Safe House nightclub on Victoria Street, before spilling out onto Peter Street. No arrests have been reported as yet.

Yesterday Chief Superintendent Zoe Thornton, of Merseyside Police, confirmed Mr Dodson had undergone surgery and the force said he was in a "critical but stable" condition. Family members of Mr Dodson posted further updates on social media, suggesting that while he was still "very poorly" Mr Dodson was now "on the right track".

A relative said: "Anthony is one of the most kind, lovely lads you ever meet, wouldn't hurt a fly, do anything for anyone, works very hard trains very hard. I need everyone to pray god."

Mr Dodson is the son of former professional boxer Tony Dodson, who held the British super middleweight title in 2003. He retired in 2016 with a pro record of 32 wins, eight losses and one