Blaney not overjoyed about topping the bill on his debut

It’s the stuff dreams are made of. Not only does Chris Blaney make his debut on a Ricky Hatton show with the legendary ‘Hitman’ in his corner, he gets top billing on a stacked card the first time he punches for pay.

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The Navan man, who will begin life as a pro at super middleweight, is excited, but so eager that there is a nightmare element to the dream scenario.

Blaney, who is currently training in Manchester with Hatton, is like a dog on a leash and it is killing him that he won’t be let off till last come June 25.

So eager is the Navan BC puncher, who shared the ring with Jason Quigley, Luke Keeler and Conrad Cummings as an amateur, to trade leather that he would prefer to open rather than close the show.

“It looks like I am top of the bill. To top a bill on your debut, not many people get the chance to do it. I am doing that on a Ricky Hatton show that is nearly sold out five weeks out. Words can’t describe that,” a wide-eyed Blaney told Irish-boxing.com.

“I am literally just raring to go. I wish I was on first not last to be honest. I just want to get there and get it over and done with. I don’t want to wait all night!”

Most first timers are full of excitement, but Blaney is more like a post-school Debs-bound debutante.

Part of that is because he is working with former World champion Ricky Hatton.

“It’s unbelievable. Really it is. I can’t get over it,” he continued.

“When I first went over I was standing in the ring thinking to myself ‘this is Ricky Hatton’. Now it’s just down to business and it’s like working with a friend. He is just a normal person. If you told me I would be working with Ricky two years ago I wouldn’t have believed you,” he added before stressing what he has been working on most.

“I have been working on sitting into my shots more, obviously that is something most fighters have to do when turning pro to amateur. I am working on strength and conditioning too and I have noticed the difference in power big time.”