Blaney narrowly edged out in final

Christopher Blaney's hopes of a National Intermediate boxing title ended in disappointment at the National Stadium on Saturday when he was edged out 0-1 by John Tighe from Ballincarrow Boxing Club in Sligo in a thrilling 75kg middleweight bout. In a contest of few hits, Tighe managed to score the only point in the opening round of the three-round, three-minute bout as both boxers displayed excellent defensive skills. “It was a really tough fight for Christopher. He threw everything he had at him, but John Tighe had a great guard and he just couldn't get through,†said Blaney's father Neil. “Christopher was disappointed to lose, but it has been a good year for him. He will take time off now over Christmas, but in January he will begin his preparations for the National Senior championships. Hopefully, he can make a good impression at those,†he added. While Blaney's effort to claim the Intermediate crown ended in disappointment, the Navan boxer had been very impressive especially in his semi-final victory over Luke Keeler. In the last four showdown Blaney was heading down the final stretch with a 3-1 lead, but Keeler reduced the deficit to one point and then restored parity with a stunning right hook. However, Blaney maintained his composure to find another two points in the final minute to book his place in the final. Earlier this year Blaney went close to securing a place in the Youth Olympics in Singapore in August when he lost out in the quarter-finals of the AIBA World Youth Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan in April. He was eliminated by Brazilian David Laurencio who went on to win the gold medal. He could still make the Youth Olympics as an invited fighter.