Hanney: It would have taken me 4 years in Europe to get this close to a World ranking

GOING Down, Down Under that is, has helped Jake Hanney move up the rankings in treble quick time.

The Dublin welterweight is just four fights into his professional career but is just one win away from possessing a WBA World top 15 ranking, which would make him eligible to challenge for the World strap.

The 25 year old moved into what he labels an ‘unbelievable position’ by claiming the WBA Asian title and thus becoming mandatory for the PABA title, a belt his fellow Irish gym mate TJ Doheny holds at super bantamweight.

Winning the PABA title would shoot the Sydney based pro up the rankings and he believes he is close to achieving in one year what it would take three to four years to back home.

“Winning a belt is always the dream so winning the WBA Asian title was like a dream come true no matter what I do I always have that belt,” Hanney told Irish-boxing.com when discussing his win Roberto Oyan last month.

“Winning this belt career wise puts us in an unbelievable position just one year after turning pro.” .

“To think one more win could get me a world top 15 ranking with the WBA after just after 5 fights is unreal . I definitely think it would take you three to four years in Europe to get that recognition and such an opportunity.”

Whilst Hanney has been fast tracked to Continental level he is well aware that he hasn’t the experience to consider a move to World level just yet. Hanney and his team want to be World ready and not just World eligible before they start taking massive steps up in class.

“There is definitely a valid point to be made re experience. I have a huge amateur background and that speaks for itself. I also think that’s were your trust in your team comes in, and you have to believe that there going to make sure your in the right fights at the right time. We will step up when I am ready,” he added. .

“We’re still talking about the next step now. We are mandatory for the WBA PAPA now and can go for that anytime, but I heard talk of defending the title at lest once and I am happy to do that if that is what the team believe is right..”