Blackpool boxer Brian Rose ready for 'bigger and better' fights after victory in Spain

The 36-year-old claimed a points victory over Clavero Lopez in Barcelona on March 20 – his first bout since losing on points to Anthony Fowler in August 2019.

The former British title holder, who now has 32 victories from his 39 fights, never looked in trouble during the six-rounder against the Spaniard.

While the circumstances weren’t ideal and Rose wasn’t as fit as he would have liked to be, ‘The Lion’ was just happy to don the gloves once again and get another win under his belt.

Rose told The Gazette: “We had to drive there, so it was a long trip. It wasn’t ideal but a fight is a fight and during a pandemic I knew I was lucky just to get a fight. It’s just what you’ve got to do.

“I felt fine in there. I grinded the win out and I won every round convincingly. At times I found it tough because that was the heaviest I’ve ever fought at, but when the slot came up early I couldn’t really afford to turn it down.

“It was an opportunity that needed to be taken just so I could go on to bigger and better fights, which is ideally what I want now.

“I’ve done so many 12-rounders I know how to pace myself over six. I’m too experienced not to be able to get through six rounds comfortably.

“I wasn’t as fit as I should have been – I knew that going into it – but it was good to get back in the rankings and now the big fights will come.”

While Rose’s next fight has yet to be announced, plans are being drawn up and the middleweight is hoping to be back out at the end of May.

He added: “I’ve got a few weeks now and I’m coming off a win, so I’ll be more than ready for my next opponent.

“Anyone that knows me knows that I go into every fight wanting to win, always doing my best and preparing myself for the win.

“I don’t just take fights because of the money – I take fights because I really believe I’m going to win.”

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