‘I’m going to the top,’ say Joe after victory

Blundell...believes he'll go all the way. Picture: Inga Zulyte

FORMER karate star Joe “Pretty Boy” Blundell showed marked improvement in the second bout of his pro boxing journey.

On manager Anthony Manning’s show at the Eastside Rooms, Birmingham, last night (Saturday), he jabbed with authority on the way to a clear four rounds victory over Sam Kirk.

He did, however, drop a round to the Doncaster journeyman – probably the third, referee Peter McCormack scoring 39-37.

Blundell, aged 19, believes he’s destined for very big, world beating things. “I’m going to the top,” he announced after the decision. “Joe Blundell is coming for everything.”

The Halesowen middleweight’s potential at world level cannot be measured on his performance against Kirk who has now lost six on the spin.

Tanned and with blond hair, Blundell looks the part, but there is clearly work to be done. Against Kirk, he was too open to right hands down the pipe and his own rights were a little wild and swinging.

His defence needs to be tightened.

There are lessons still to be learned, but he dominated a man who lost on points to Oscar McCracken in the popular Birmingham welter’s debut last December.

Blundell (11st 5lbs 6oz) drove home powerful jabs from the off and nailed Kirk with an eye-catching left to the body in the second before opening up with both hands.

Joe did ship a right and Kirk (11st 3lbs 8oz), although concentrating on defence, connected with two more in the third.

Blundell hit top gear in the last, shrugged off a short right and harried and chased his opponent around the ring.

The teenager has a big following and fans noisily celebrated the verdict as if he’d lifted a major title.

Blundell has no doubt that one day he will.