“I had a good spa a couple of weeks ago and pulled a muscle in my rib and in the fourth round he caught me with a body shot,” Blackwell added.
“It was hard to breathe or concentrate and there was no need to risk it breaking or causing further injury.”
Despite his first loss Blackwell remained positive about the experience in the aftermath of the fight.
“I’ll be at that level some time [in the future] – he’s eight years older than me.
“I’ll keep training, that won’t put me down. I’ve had nine fights now in the pro ranks and now I’ve fought for the British, Commonwealth and the WBA titles so I can only get better.”
It was an opinion endorsed by former light welterweight world champion Ricky Hatton who was present at the fight.
“It was a great performance when you think how may fights he’s had and the level he’s at, it just shows the level of talent this lad has,” Hatton said.
“It was a good decision by the corner because his day will come again. To be fighting for the British title after eight fights is an achievement in itself.
“There is a lot of boxing left in him and he’s only going to get better given this experience.”
