"It was a long 12 months and I'm rapt to finally be 1-0 as a professional."
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Those were the words from Launceston boxer Tyler Blizzard after the 24-year-old defeated Daniel Harwood by unanimous decision on Wednesday night.
Making his debut at the No Limits Boxing event at Hordern Pavilion in Sydney where Tokyo Olympic bronze-medallist Harry Garside claimed the Australian Lightweight Title, Blizzard came out of the gates firing.
"I went out in the first round under some pretty good instructions from Jeff [Fenech] and I went out nice and relaxed, took my time and threw a couple of punches," Blizzard said.
"Next thing I knew, he was on the canvas, which is something that I wasn't expecting because I'd watched him previously and done some sparring with him.
"When it happened, I went pretty hard to try and end it early but he stuck in there and went the full four rounds which was an experience."
The event's commentators praised Blizzard's ability to land the left hook and the right hand, describing them as the two best shots to hit against a southpaw [left-hand dominant] boxer like Harwood.
They also quipped that Fenech would have been pleased with how Blizzard started, knocking his opponent down late in the second round before the hard, quick start got to him a bit.
"The early knockdown definitely helped, I thought when he got back up I could finish him off and it took a lot of energy," Blizzard said.
"In the latter rounds, that definitely caught up with me."
While he was adjudged the winner of the fight 36-38, 36-38 and 37-38, he said he'll learn the lesson of taking his time and waiting for his shot.
When he was tiring, Harwood peppered him with body shots, but Fenech was confident when speaking to him after the third round.
"You've got three minutes, you cannot lose this fight ... [you've had] two 10-8 rounds," he said to his protegee.
After the decision was announced Blizzard said "Tassie represent, thanks to CRB - Chris Reissig Builders - and Aussie Launceston" into Fox Sports' camera, while also saying a special thanks to Nic Colla when interviewed by The Examiner.
The former St Patrick's College student, who is now based in New South Wales, has returned home to Tasmania and will stay here for at least four or five days before heading back to his adopted state.
He said that Fenech's crew will head to Bangkok for their training camp, which got postponed due to COVID, before potentially eyeing another fight in May or June.
Stepping out of the ring for five years after his strong amateur career, Blizzard often reflects.
"I had a lot of family come over, friends, sponsors, so I'm grateful for the support that I've had over the last few days," he said.
"I refer back to five years ago quite a bit because I never thought I would be in the situation I am today under Jeff Fenech, a three-time world champion, so I'm very lucky."
Josh Partridge
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
As a sports-mad fan who loves to remain challenged, sports journalism always seemed the path for me and it's allowed me to do things I never thought possible. A keen racquet sports player, I'm experienced in that field, allowing me to do my job at a strong standard.
