Bigger I am, the harder they fall – Hanney believes he will be dangerous against Murphy

The bigger he is, the harder they fall suggests Jake Hanney [5(4)-2(1)] as he moves up to welterweight to fight for the Irish title.

The Dubliner was last seen at light welter where he suffered TV defeat to Victor Rabei, but moves back to welter for a massive Irish title fight with Noel Murphy [13(2)-1(1)-1] in Cork next month – provided he gets through a four rounder in Birmingham on June 29 unscathed.

The move to 147lbs doesn’t worry a fighter keen to put some stop start years behind him, indeed he claims he is more dangerous at the bigger weight.

During a successful period in Australia the 30 year old competed at the up the weight ladder and registered four stoppage wins – one of which won Knockout of the Year- and he believes he will be a different animal with more beef come July 20.

“I just feel very confident of beating Noel,” Hanney told Irish-boxing.com. 

“I believe I’ll carry a lot more power at welter. That is what I boxed at in Oz and find when I’m around that weight sparring and fighting I am hurting people a lot more. I believe this is a good fight for me.”

Although he suggests he will be more capable of hurting the New York based fighter, who returns home to fight at the Neptune Stadium, ‘The Wizard’ believes it’s his skills not power that will secure him the title.

“I haven’t seen loads of him. From what I’ve seen hes a come forward decent fighter. And I believe my boxing will win this fight.” 

“I might of pushed a little bit,” he laughs when asked about rumours he had lead the charge for get the fight made. 

It is somewhat of a surprise opportunity for the Boxing Ireland fighter. Although he suffered defeat to Rabei he showed enough in that fight to suggest with time to get a two year lay off out of his system he could have an impact on the domestic scene.

However, some more routine opponents were expected over the Summer until the chance to step in and replace Jay Byrne on the Leeside Revolution card changed plans.

” I got a phone at about 10.30pm one of the nights last week off Ste (Sharpe). I didnt answer as I was asleep. Then Eddie (Hyland) starts ringing me , surly enough I woke up. He told me we had a offer and about this fight. He said that we will beat him. I rang Ste straight away and told him to make it happen. I was a bit on edge until it got confirmed as I didn’t wanna get my hopes up. Now it’s confirmed I’m buzzing and very confident,” he explains before revealing he has no qualms about traveling to Cork.

“Not at all,” he responds when asked about any potential away fighter worried.

“I might even bring the Sam down to show them it.”

“I’ve been ticking over last couple weeks and before that I was in camp for Belfast so I’m still on weight and in shape. Myself and G-Train (Graham McCormack) actually had a great spar last night. It’s great were all on together in Cork Siobhan (O’Leary) as well . We are flying.”