Brody Blair’s professional homecoming went as planned.
The 26-year-old Lyons Brook boxer improved his pro record to 3-0 on Saturday, with a unanimous decision over Mexico’s Juan Raygosa at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.
Blair used sound defensive tactics to keep his opponent at bay, and used some fakes to keep Raygosa off balance, scoring enough himself to pull off the win in front of more than 1,000 fight fans.
“There was a lot of cat-and-mouse,” Blair said. “He tried to lure me into a few of his veteran traps, but I just stuck to what I knew and it worked out.”
Blair said he was aware that Raygosa has the ability to bring some power and could do some damage with it. “I knew he was a little dangerous. He was game – he was there, throwing big shots until the end.”
The fans responded with enthusiasm to the fast-moving, six-fight card, but Blair tried to block out the distractions when he entered the ring.
“I tuned the crowd right out,” he said. “I never heard them – it was like it was just me and him there.”
Blair’s next professional match could come as early as a May 19 card in Cape Breton, although he’s unsure at this point if he will take part in that.
Aside from getting the win in front of Pictou County boxing fans, Blair was also pleased with the turnout and added that the other boxers, trainers and officials were impressed with how everything came together. It is believed to be the first pro fight card in this area since 1991.
He said he appreciated the work of all the volunteers, as well as the Pictou County Wellness Centre staffers who helped with the planning and execution.
“It was amazing – Pictou County is so supportive of my boxing, and they were looking for something new in Pictou County, I think.”
ALSO ON THE CARD
• Mohammed Debbaugh def. Adrian Arenas with a TKO after flooring him twice in the second round. Arenas was able to rise after the second knock-down, but looked unsteady on his feet and the referee called off the match.
• Adam Ayoubi def. Justin Blades (unanimous decision).
• Kyle McNeil def. Jorge Castro (unanimous decision). McNeil is trained by Westville’s Aaron Kinch, who was in his corner for the match.
• Joey Laviolette def. Ricardo Rojas (unanimous decision).
• Ryan Rozicki def. Alvaro Enriquez (TKO).
