Chris Blaney will have the bit between his teeth as he looks to get back to winning ways in Northampton tomorrow when he takes on BCB Tom Stokes.
The Manchester-based Irishman returns to action just 20 days after his last outing, where he boxed to a draw with old rival Owen Jobburn.
He features on BCB Promotions’ bill at the Deco with fight night set for Saturday May 25.
His previous bout was a second battle with Jobburn, the first a three-round success for Blaney during a Last Man Standing Prizefighter-type tournament staged in Dublin last year.
Their rematch took place at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester, where they played out a 38-38 stalemate after four keenly-contested sessions.
It came after 11 victories, with three TKOs, and one defeat for Blaney, who was also beaten unanimously by Jack Cullen in that Last Man Standing affair.
The 27-year-old has already had a belt strapped to his waist, seeing off Matiouze Royer over the distance for the BUI Celtic crown.
He can call upon one of the best in his corner, as he’s coached by former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton.
‘The Ginger Ninja’ has lined up a September clash with JJ McDonagh, for full Irish honours, and wants a couple of warm-up affairs to get him ready.
Jobburn proved to be a stubborn hurdle and Blaney is expecting more of the same at the Deco, where he will be smarting going into battle.
He said: “I was a bit gutted about the draw, no boxer wants anything other than the win, but I have to move on. There’s a plan to stick to.
“I like Jobburn, he’s a nice lad and I get on with him, and I can’t see any reason why we can’t box a third time. That would be a good way to settle it.
“I knew he was going to be tough, but that’s what I want from all of my opponents now. I’m expecting the same in Northampton.
“I paid the price for a poor last round, instead of boxing him I stood there and fought and let him outwork me. I still thought I’d done enough to win, based on the rest of the fight.
“Ricky was good about it, he told me that we all have bad nights. I’d been doing all of the right things, in the gym, I just didn’t do them in the ring.
“There’s nothing I can about it now, apart from put on a better performance in Northampton. I’ve got a point to prove now.
“Hopefully, I can win and win well, I’m looking to get out again in July and then we move to the Irish title. That’s the sort of prize I’m in the game for.
“I want to be a champion over and over again and if I can the Irish, it would put me in the top 15 middleweights in Europe.
“It’s important that I’m at my best for that, so I want as much ring time as I can before that. In Northampton, you’ll get a much better display from me.”
The main event at the Deco will pit Northampton’s own Nathan Reeve against Craig Derbyshire for the English super flyweight title.
The Far Cotton Boxing Club graduate, who has previously challenged for English honours at flyweight, tackles the two-weight Central area champion, from Doncaster, over 10 rounds.
Tickets are on sale now priced at £35 standard, £50 on the balcony and £65 ringside, the latter option to include a buffet. For more information and to buy, contact the boxers.
