Jake Hanney dismisses ‘too soon’ talk ahead of Tyrone McKenna showdown

Anyone that questions why Jake Hanney [5(4)-0] has agreed to fight Belfast star Tyrone McKenna is talking ‘shite,’ according to the Dublin light welter himself.

The fans were the real winner when Sean Creagh agreed to fight the more experience McKenna last November. The Tallaght boxer set a ‘take any challenge precedent’ that has somewhat crept into fellow Irish fighters, but there are those who lament the loss of his 0 against an impressive McKenna and who suggest that Creagh took the fight too soon.

Hanney has one fight less than Creagh and there are those who suggest he is making the same error by agreeing to challenge the in form BUI Celtic champion so early in his career.

The East Wall puncher, who remains somewhat of an unknown due to the fact he has fought in Ireland only once, yet is vaunted as a real potential star in some quarters, disagrees wholeheartedly and is confident that he can upset the home fighter at the Waterfront Hall on February 18th.

“I got a phone call yesterday off Anto [Fitzpatrick] out of MTK. I said yes straight away and he sorted out all the details to finalise it. I know Anto well, he’s a friend, so it went quick and smooth,” Hanney revealed to Irish-Boxing.com

When questioned about whether the fight may have come too soon, Hanney laughed off the suggestion, noting how “I wouldn’t really listen to that kind of shite.”

“I feel in boxing there’s levels and I’m definitely at his level. Okay he’s had more fights as a pro than me, but I’m 100% at that level.”

The former Australian Prospect of the Year winner agreed to fight McKenna [12(4)-0-1] on Monday night and says it took a few seconds for him to say yes.

He was already in training for a proposed February 25th fight on Red Corner’s ‘Unfinished Business’ card in Dublin and is confident that, not only will he be in shape, he will emerge victorious on February 18th.

The 27 year old stressed that “I’m very confident. I wouldn’t have taken the fight if I wasn’t.”

“I feel I’m ready for these fights now. We’ve never sparred, I was on the Irish team a year above Tyrone, but I am confident I can beat him. I predict this is going to be a real boxing match that I win.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)