Luke won’t let loss end title dream

BOXING SHELDAN KEAY

ACCRINGTON boxer Luke Blackledge insists he is still determined to win the British supermiddleweight title despite his loss to Callum Smith on Saturday.

Blackledge came up short against Smith after suffering a devastating tenth round knockout loss at the Manchester Arena.

While he may have been unsuccessful, Blackledge is still setting his sights on winning the Lonsdale belt in the future.

“I was so disappointed to let my team down. Callum is a beast and the best man won on the night. I will be back in the New Year,” he said.

“Experts, bookies, fans and everyone said I wouldn’t go past two rounds with him. I haven’t finished yet and I want the British title.”

Smith was dominant during the fight, winning each of the rounds despite some flurries of good work from Blackledge.

It looked like the Accrington boxer may be able to go the distance when he took the fight into the final rounds, but Smith managed to get the knockout shot with a left hook to the head in round 10.

Blackledge required oxygen on his stool as a precaution after the knockout, but was eventually OK to stand up and received a standing ovation from the crowd.

Smith was pleased with the win, but felt that Blackledge was trying to survive in the fight rather than try to win.

“It’s good to get some rounds in – more than I would’ve liked – I felt I should’ve got him out earlier but it’s hard when I was the only one in there wanting to fight,” said Smith.

“He was a bit too negative.

“Beforehand I said that technically, I would have too much for him, but the one thing I did give him was that he was game and came to fight but I don’t think he did.

“I thought beforehand that he would come and have a go.”