Teo continues his winning start to the paid ranks

COOKSTOWN’S Teo Alin extended his professional record to 4-0 last Saturday night in Belfast’s Devenish Complex when he earned a unanimous points decision over Tatenda Mangombe.

While pleased to have come through what was a tricky test against the 28-year-old Kent-based Zimbabwe native, Alin admitted a less than ideal week before the fight caused him issues as the bout wore on.

Going into his first ever six round encounter, Alin was hoping for everything to go to plan so he could refuel properly to keep his energy levels high for what was to be his biggest test yet.

Unfortunately, things didn’t pan out as he hoped, but he was delighted to be able to dig deep and get the job done.

“It was a nice wee win. I found the six rounds OK and I felt OK going into the fifth but the sixth round I felt this tiredness coming over me,” he explained.

“I think it’s because we had a last minute change of opponent, on Monday when my initial opponent said he couldn’t make it over, so we had to get a replacement and he proved to be more trickier, so it was a good test.

“But it meant he was only fit to come on Saturday, so I had to do my weigh-in on Saturday instead of the Friday, so I’d say that played a part because I couldn’t refuel.

“But I’ll put it down to experience and it’s good to be able to overcome these slip-ups and still go out and perform.”

With his first child due in June, 29-year-old Alin is hoping to get another fight in next month, but he admits the late summer is a more realistic proposition.

And if that is the case, he’ll enjoy a break for a few weeks, which he feels is well earned after an extended period ‘in camp’.

“I’d like to get out again in May but [his management is] planning something for August,” he said.

“If there’s something before August I’ll take it to keep me active, but if not, what odds, I’ll take the break because I feel like I haven’t been out of camp since way before Christmas, so I don’t mind.

“A wee break can do good, physically and mentally, and see this week, I was actually looking forward to taking the foot off the gas and relaxing, enjoying some family time and living like a normal person even for a week!”