WITH blonde hair, tanned, muscled physique and teeth with enough dazzle to damage eyesight, Joe Blundell’s “Pretty Boy” nickname is fitting.
The former martial arts star – a member of Anthony Manning’s Birmingham stable – has emerged as a punching pin-up. Those features have earned him a healthy social media following.
He’s not just a pretty face, however. On Saturday, on Manning’s show at the city’s Eastside Rooms, the middleweight blasted out Connor “Pitbull” Meanwell in three rounds. The Newark boxer was badly hurt by body shots in the second, then poleaxed by a left hook downstairs in the following session.
That’s an impressive performance from Blundell who made it a hat-trick of pro victories. Meanwell has lost far more than he’s won, but he’s a tough individual who always comes to fight.
It also signalled something of a triumphant return for Halesowen’s Joe after a year spent on the sidelines.
We now know Blundell has the looks and the power. He can also talk the talk.
“That was the start of a beautiful journey,” he declared after dispatching Meanwell. “I’m getting older, fitter, stronger, my weight’s perfect. We went back to the drawing board and looked at what we could change, what we could do differently.”
It’s early days and Joe admits at least another four fights are needed before titles can be chased.
Blundell’s career is very much a family affair. Dad Mark, a former top body builder, is his strength and conditioning coach and mum Louise is his nutritionist.
Nathan Garcia acts as trainer, former pro Manning as manager.
Joe entered the pro ranks after a stellar karate career that saw him represent his country, collect British and European titles and travel to the world championships.
He has also dabbled in ju jitsu and MMA.
As an amateur boxer, he was undefeated in 12 bouts, collected two Midlands novice titles and would’ve been a national champ, but his victory in the final was overturned because of the lad’s failure to disclose his karate career.
Of his decision to lace on gloves and swap chops for punches, Blundell said: “If I hit it and made it all the way in karate would I be driving a Lamborghini? No. If I hit it and made it all the way in boxing would I be driving a Lamborghini? Yes. Life is about money.”
Blundell is not lacking in self-confidence. He believes he can go a long way and make lots of money.
“The choices I make in life will take me to the top,” he said. “I have a lot of time on my side, which is a valuable asset.
“It’s about moving the right chess pieces – the skies the limit, I know I have so much potential. I know I can do it, only I can do it.”
He stressed: “One hundred per cent, I believe I can go all the way. If I keep doing what I’m doing, why shouldn’t believe I can go all the way? Last year was frustrating, there were pull-outs, it was out of my control. I never once questioned my place in the sport, it was God’s plan.”
