Blanchardstown boxer ready to rumble after debut victory

DESPITE winning every round of his debut, Blanchardstown boxer Christian Scuvie was not happy with how his professional curtain raiser played out.

Now, the locally based light heavyweight is looking for an improved showing when he steps into the ring for his second fight on Saturday June 16 at Good Counsel GAA Club as part of the big 'Celtic Clash 6' card.

Back in March at the same venue in front of a large collection of fans that included former world title challenger Mike Perez and popular strongman Blessing Awodibu, Scuvie scored a debut win.

While he entered into his first pro fight with a reputation as a fearsome puncher, his fight with previously unbeaten Robert Krason was a tentative one, with the 26-year-old boxing clever to claim a points win over four rounds.

Scuvie was not pleased with his performance and, while he was unwilling to make excuses, there was goings on in the background that certainly played a part on the night.

Indeed, considering this, the fact he fought at all has to be applauded.

The Congolese-born fighter's manager, Stephen Sharpe, explained why.

“Chris had the debut week from hell,” he said. “There were a number of times he was 'off' the show’. There was a clerical error on his pre-fight medical forms, which only emerged the night before.

“There was a mad dash to find a doctor then to correct this and get new blood tests done. We were driving all over the city for hours before we eventually got it sorted.

"It didn't end there though! We had another scare on fight night. With all the confusion, nerves and pressure, Chris's blood pressure was slightly high which is understandable.

“There was a big hold-up before he fought. It looked like the fight was off again but we eventually got cleared and then it was just about getting through the fight.

“Fair play to Chris, he showed serious focus and professionalism to get the win, most others would have pulled out.”

It was by no means a bad performance from Scuvie who claimed a comfortable win over his Polish opponent – one-way traffic would be an accurate description – and he had Krason hurt in both the third and fourth rounds.

The Dublin-based African, however, wanted to make a statement and was slightly disappointed with his introduction to the pros.

Admirably, Scuvie did not want to make a deal of the pre-fight ordeals.

“I had to get blood drawn, it wasn't great, but, no excuses,” he said.

“I hadn't boxed in about two years, I was a bit worried about the rust but, yeah, it was alright! I did what I had to do and I got the win without really taking any shots back.

"I wanted the knockout but it didn't come that time,” he added before promising to make amends on June 16.

“Next fight, I’ll be a lot better," he said. "You'll see the real Christian Scuvie now. I've gotten the ring rust off and I'm training very hard, every day. 

“I'm glad I got the win last time but I want to put on a better performance for all my family and friends. I'm looking forward to it, I'll be ready.”

Also featuring on the 'Celtic Clash 6' undercard alongside Scuvie will be Ballybrack lightweight Niall O'Connor, Crumlin super featherweight Aiden Metcalfe, Smithfield welterweight Keane McMahon, Waterford welterweight Rohan Daté, Lucan welterweight John Joyce, Cavan light middleweight Owen Duffy, Sallynoggin super feather Stephen McAfee, and a BUI Celtic super bantamweight title fight between Jobstown's Carl McDonald and Youghal's Colin O'Donovan.

The show is headlined by RTÉ pundit and current BUI Celtic featherweight champion, Eric Donovan.

Tickets for the fight night are priced at €55 (ringside), €35 (unreserved) and are available from the boxers involved.

Christian Scuvie can be contacted directly on 085-7813032.