AceShowbiz - Boxing legend Micky Ward has abandoned promotional duties for biopic "The Fighter" after his mother suffered a cardiac arrest on Wednesday, January 12, according to a U.S. report. Mark Wahlberg brings the real life story of the former world champion to the big screen in the new picture, which has won rave reviews and a number of high profile awards nominations.

Ward has been helping Wahlberg promote the film, but the fighter has halted his appearances after his mother fell seriously ill in Boston, Massachusetts. The Boston Globe reports Alice Ward, played by Melissa Leo in the movie, was placed on life support in hospital after she stopped breathing - but has now regained consciousness and is speaking to her loved ones.

A message reportedly posted by family member on Facebook.com reads, "She was dead for almost an hour and today she's... doing so well. The nurse said she's never seen anything like this in the eight years she's been working (at the hospital)."