Chris Blaney delighted with Gomez “learning experience”

Chris Blaney lost the first rounds of his professional career and was forced to extend himself against a game opponent, but he admits he “loved every minute” of his challenging fight on Saturday.

The Navan middleweight, trained by Ricky Hatton, took on notably tough journeyman Christian Hoskin Gomez at the Leicester Arena and scored a hard-fought 58-56 points win after six rounds of toe to toe action.

Blaney, who moved to 6(3)-0 with the win, said beforehand that he was looking forward to a war and that’s exactly what he got on the big BT Sport-BoxNation bill.

The Ginger Ninja noted afterwards that “we knew exactly what he was going to bring and we prepared for it.”

“He just came forwards and he was always in my face. It was a good learning experience, probably my toughest to date, and I loved every minute of it.”

What was especially encouraging for Blaney was his adjustment to his first six rounder, improving as the fight went on and hurting his opponent late.

Blaney revealed that “Ricky told me afterwards that I hurt Hoskin Gomez a few times, but he disguised it well and I didn’t really notice it.

“In the last round he spat out his gumshield so I think I was getting to him. Looking back, I think that maybe if I’d have had a round or two more I might have gotten him out of there.

“It was my first six rounder and I think it went well. The last three rounds were probably my best so I think I’ll get better and show even more when I get into longer fights.”

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography

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