Injured Luke Blackledge pulls out of Liverpool show on July 25
Newly-crowned Commonwealth super-middleweight champion, Luke Blackledge (19-2-2) was due to be back in action on July 25th at Liverpool Olympia but has been forced to pull out of the show due to injury.
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The 24-year-old from Lancashire explained, “I wasn’t 100 per cent fit to fight anyway and I’ve been having Cryotherapy sessions and that’s been helping but I caught Impetigo in a sparring session and I’ve had to stop all training so there’s no way I’ll be fighting in July.”
The 168-pounder was due to enter into a six round contest on the VIP Promotions show featuring unbeaten local boxing heroes, John Quigley (13-0) and Andy Colquhoun (13-0).
“I’m really run down so still need some time to recover but I can’t wait to get back in the gym,” said Blackledge.
“I won’t be out again until September now but at least I’ll be in a big fight then. My manager confirmed that I will be defending my Commonwealth title in September on a TV show.”
Blackledge defeated a former ABA champion in Liam Cameron to lift the vacant Commonwealth title on April 4th in front of a raucous crowd at the St. Georges Hall in Blackburn and is also the proud owner of a WBC Silver International super-middleweight title.
“I’ll fight anyone in the top ten in the Commonwealth rankings, not bothered who it is, I’m ready to step up again,” the decorated super-mid remarked.
“Just can’t wait to get back out there and fight because it’s been a few months now. I’ve only had one fight this year so I was hoping to get another 2-3 fights by the end of the year.”
The 168 pound division is red hot right now with IBF World champion, James DeGale sitting atop in the British rankings closely followed by bitter rival, George Groves challenging for the WBC World title in August.
“Super-mids have always been the best division and look at the all talent in there,” said the number five ranked British boxer. “I’ve been offered loads of fights and got offered a fight against Patrick Nielsen for the WBA title but because it was just six days notice, I turned it down. I’d definitely be up for that fight with a training camp first.”
Since being adorned with the Commonwealth title, the Blackburn boxing favourite has been the subject for a lot of other boxers regularly calling him out, namely by WBO European champion, Frank Buglioni.
“I’m getting a lot more attention now and people keep asking when I’m going for the British title, that’s always been my dream. Ever since my Commonwealth title fight, people are noticing me more now.”
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