‘I hope he is ready’- Chris Blaney suggests Craig McCarthy hasn’t had to worry about being ‘hit back’ yet

Chris Blaney [12(3)-2(0)-1] believes Craig McCarthy [7(3)-0] has yet to be tested as a fighter suggesting he faces somewhat of baptism of fire when the pair fight in Bolton on December 7.

Waterford’s McCarthy boasts and unblemished record and comes into the intriguing BUI Celtic title fight on the back of two knockouts.

Blaney on the other hand has tasted defeat twice tasted defeat and has only won one of his last three.

However, the ‘Ginja Ninja’ argues his record makes for more real reading, as he has stepped up to take on a tougher class of opponent than his December 7 rival.

The Navan favourite believes that experience against Owen Joburn, Jack Cullen and Tom Stokes, fighter ‘who hit back’ will stand to him as the pair battle it out for middleweight Irish title mandatory status, as well as the prettiest of the domestic titles available.

“Craig it a good fighter, but he hasn’t tested himself yet in the ring. This is his first proper step up, so I hope he’s ready,” Blaney told Irish-boxing.com.

“I think I’ll win the fight because I have better experience in the ring, I’ve had tougher fights, I’ve done eight rounds before and this is his first test against somebody who is going to hit him back.”

It’s half a barb sent the way of the Deise fighter, but there doesn’t appear to be bad blood between the pair. Indeed, the Ricky Hatton trained fighter revealed there wasn’t much between the duo when the pair sparred last year.

“We only sparred once and that was in my gym a year ago. We only done a couple of rounds but it was a good nip and tuck spar, so it’s really down to who wants it more on the night and I believe that will be me,” he adds before confirming he has no issue with ‘Built2Last’.

“There is no bad blood, but when we get in the ring there are no friends in there and we will both try knock each other out. After that we will go for a few pints.”

The middleweight nature of the fight has caught some off guard. McCarthy has fought at super middle for his entire career, while Blaney has spent most of his pro life up at 168lbs.

Blaney suggests he has no issue doing 160lbs, but wonders if it will be a problem for his December 7 rival.

“The fight is at middle, Craig is coming down in weight so it will be a lot harder for him to make the weight, so let’s hope he can make it,” he adds before revealing he hopes to use a second BUI Celtic title win as a stepping stone to an Irish title shot.

“That’s the plan, win this fight, then have a good Christmas and then see what’s on the table. Hopefully it will be the Irish title.”