Tyrone McKenna stops Jake Hanney in fire-fight to defend BUI Celtic light welterweight title
In a brilliant all-Irish fight, Tyrone McKenna pummelled his way to a stoppage win over Jake Hanney at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.
It was a first defence of the BUI Celtic light welterweight belt won by McKenna against Sean Creagh in November, and the rangey southpaw was just to incisive and clinical for the game Dubliner, with the bout being stopped in the sixth.
The fight was the first of the four main bouts on the BoxNation ‘Belfast Boys Are Back’ card, but it was a bill-topper of a fight, creating an electric atmosphere in the city centre amphitheater.
Hanney began quickly, finding a home for his right hand immediately. McKenna however soon brought his long backhand left into play, and began to catch the onrushing Dub and edge the round.
A frantic second saw McKenna land a succession of head rattling shots at the outset. Hanney looked to trade and a cut was opened by the left eye of McKenna. It was nip and tuck from then on before a big final flurry from McKenna saw him land a number of unanswered shots to the chin of the East Wall boxer.
While blood was streaming down the face of McKenna, it was the Belfast man who was providing the cleaner work. The Wizard was showing huge bravery but, McKenna seemed to be taking control.
The fourth began quietly, before Hanney landed a couple of eye-catching quality shots. ‘The Mighty Celt’ however was keeping active and had a big final minute pushing forward.
McKenna picked up where he left off in the fifth, landing seemingly at will against the iron-chinned Hanney who continued to pour forward with minimal emphasis on defence.
Going into the sixth, McKenna continued to dominate and managed to force Hanney into the neutral corner, where referee David Irving would wave off the bout with McKenna unloading unanswered shots on the Dubliner – who badly wanted to continue.
The entertaining win sees McKenna stretch his unbeaten record to 13(5)-0-1, while the ridiculously brave Hanney falls to 5(4)-1(1).
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
