Two knockdowns, one KO…

Job done for Joe at Hitman Fight League

Joe Craven survived two knockdowns to record another hard-fought win in what he described as “the maddest fight” of his life. 

The number one-ranked UK middleweight took on Carlos De Celis at Hitman Fight League 10 and was dropped twice by strong knee shots in rounds one and two, before hitting back to knock out the Spaniard in the third. 

With hundreds of travelling fans roaring him on ringside in Manchester, Craven appeared to be on top despite being floored by a short knee to the abdomen just before the bell in both of the opening rounds.

But in the third he really “went to war”, with his boxing skills coming to the fore and a flurry of hands sending Malaga native De Celis to the canvas and a count he couldn’t recover from. 

Craven admitted that the second knee to the abs “took my soul”, but the bell was only seconds away, and a few choice words of encouragement from his team sent him back out to do the business in the third. 

Tough build-up

His build-up had been affected by a change of opponent two weeks before the fight, with technical southpaw De Celis replacing the scheduled Magnus Anderson. 

He said: “I can honestly say that was the maddest fight of my life. I got dropped with a strong knee in round one and again in round two. 

“I got a serious telling-off from my corner, and got told it’s time to go to work. I had to bite down on my gumshield, and went to war. 

“I’m very proud of myself for even getting in the ring. A lot of things been going on away from fighting, and then with a change of opponents my head really was all over. 

“To still have the support from all my family, friends and my team is enough to motivate any man to keep pushing forward.

“The knockout in round three is extra special, because to see what it means to all the people who care about me is special. I will be forever thankful to every person who has ever supported me.

“Not many people will ever understand this sort of high. It’s a feeling that cannot be recreated and this one was extra special.

“The atmosphere was electric and I can’t wait to do it again.” 

Joe’s record now stands at 34 wins (10 KOs) and six losses.

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