COVID casualty! Ricky Hatton trained Chris Blaney retires

Chris Blaney [12(3)-2(0)-2] has called time on his pro career at the relatively tender age of 28.

Just as he should be approaching his peak, the Navan favourite has decided to hang them up and does so with an Irish title fight all but guaranteed.

The Ricky Hatton-trained super middleweight was last seen drawing with Craig McCarthy in a bloody BUI Celtic title fight and had agreed to rematch the Waterford native for the Irish title, only for the pandemic to delay when that could happen.

Blaney obviously feels no card could host that clash anytime soon and as a result has exited stage left.

‘The Ginja Ninja’ took to social media to confirm the news today.

The Meath man revealed he always planned to retire by 30 and with 29 fast approaching and no sign of boxing in front of crowds returning, Blaney suggests not to retire would only be delaying the inevitable.

“I’d like to let everyone know I’ve decided to retire from boxing. I always said I’d retire at 30 and seeing as I’m nearly 29 and no sign of boxing in front of crowds for a long while, it breaks my heart to be saying this but it’s time to knock it on the head.

“I’m leaving happy and healthy and that’s the main thing. I’d like to thank everybody who has supported me through my career I am forever grateful. And of course to the best team in the business Ricky Hatton, Mike Jackson and Blain Younis and of course to all the Hatton boys, who I had the pleasure, of training beside, thank you.”

Blaney has proven himself an entertainer in a relatively brief career. The 28-year-old managed to win the BUI Celtic super middleweight title and was in some very entertaining fights particularly on the TG4-broadcast Ireland’s Last Man Standing card.