There is nothing small about Sean Turner. He is a big man with a big personalty, a big punch, and – according to his ring moniker – he even has sizable sex appeal.

In keeping with the theme, the Irish heavyweight prospect is confident 2016 will be a big year for ‘Big Sexy’.

The undefeated former Elite Senior Champion tops his first bill at the Roadstone on February 5th where he will compete in his first six round fight, and he claims it is step one on the road to becoming a name in a division that is ‘opening up’.

Speaking to Irish-boxing.com a more reserved Turner claimed there is some added pressure that comes with topping the bill, but believes the six rounds won’t be an issue.

Indeed the knock-out specialist suggests he might carry his foe to the latter stages in a bid to bank valuable rounds.

“This is my first real headliner. It might be a small hall show but it is a big card with a lot of good fighters on it,” ‘Big Sexy’ told Irish-boxing.com.

“I think it’s a great show and headlining adds a bit of pressure. It is my first six rounder too which is good. I know I can do the six rounds easy, but I am hoping for a tough opponent that can take me to the late stages of the fight. I need competitive rounds if I am going to be fighting for titles this year. If this lad doesn’t like the power early on I might keep him in there for a few rounds we will see.”

The 24 year old, who was previously happy to talk about possible Martin Rogan, Jason Garven, Con Sheehan and even Anthony Joshua fights, was a little shyer about name dropping opponents suggesting signing with MGM has afforded him the chance to be patient.

“It’s good to be out so early and MGM keep getting me regular fights. They tell you within two weeks of your last fight when you are out again so it’s great. I will let them look after things for me and pick and chose when I fight again. I am hoping for a big year but I am only 24 in heavyweight terms that’s a very young,” he added.

“The heavyweight division has come alive and it is starting to open up. I am not targeting any particular fighters as of yet. I seen Dave Allen, who I was sparring, could be fighting Richard Towers in a British title eliminator, that could be a fight for me down the line, but for now I will let the team look after all that. They know the right fights and the right times to take them.”

Turner and former Cruiserweight champion Ian Tims raised Irish-boxing fan eyebrows earlier this month when they traded verbals via social media. It raised the questions around the possibility of an all Dublin clash between a former heavyweight and super heavy Irish amateur champ, but Turner laughed off suggestions stating it was a bit of fun.

“That was just a bit of banter. Just me and Timsey having the craic. I was down sparring him recently there is no bad blood just a bit of banter. Timsey isn’t stupid enough to take that fight. In fairness to him he doesn’t back down from a fight. We all know he loves a scrap, but thats not on the cards it was all just joking.”

One genuine future opponent is Con Sheehan, who made a successful debut in America and Tuesday. Turner has yet to see the clash, but did welcome the Virgil Hunter trained fighter to a domestic division that already includes Martin Rogan, Niall Kennedy and Big Sexy himself.

“I didn’t seen Con’s fight yet. I heard he was in against a big lad and he did well. It is good to have another Irish heavyweight on the scene. The more the merrier for Irish boxing and for the heavyweights.”