Cruise: I was on the road to stopping Long and I want a return

DARREN Cruise claims he was in cruise control and ready to stop Robbie Long before an accident clash of heads forced the referee to stop the fight just 56 seconds into the second round of their February 15 clash.

Long, who was returning after an 18 month absence, felt he was showing the benefits of the hard work he has put in since joining the army and wants a chance to finish the job he started.

The Roscommon fighter is eyeing another fight with the Eddie Hyland trained tough man and has set his sights on securing an Irish title fight before the year is out.

“I was very disappointed with the way the fight ended, but I was very happy with how I was boxing. I was just glad to get back in the ring and even though I only fought for one and a half rounds I felt the best I ever did,” Cruise told Irish-boxing.com.

“I’m back in the gym now training hard waiting for a call to fight Robbie again that fight has to happen. I’m not sure if Robbie will want to take it. I think he realised after the first round what way the fight was going to go. I think I would have stopped him in three or four rounds. Hopefully Robbie and myself can get it on again and once I win that I’m coming looking for an Irish title shot.”