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‘He went for a hug’ – Tyrone McKenna discusses car park Ohara Davies scuffle

The by now infamous Tyrone McKenna Ohar Davies scuffle won’t influence how ‘The Mighty Celt’ approaches the light welterweight Golden Contract draw.

The long time verbal sparring partners came very close to finally trading blows outside York Hall during the featherweight quarter finals of the unique MTK organised Sky Sports broadcast tournament.

Almost fittingly they could soon fight and get paid for it in the ring just yards from where they had Friday’s altercation.

Both fight again on November 22 and depending on how the unique draw – which takes place during fight week – unfolds they could fight each other.

With such public animosity between the pair fans will be intrigued to see if the unique draw will draw up a scenario where one could pick the other as their quarter-final opponent.

‘The Mighty Celt’ told Irish-boxing.com if handed the chance he will definitely pick ‘Two Tanks’. Indeed, he argues that was always going to be the case, not just because he is keen to fight the English fighter, but because he believes it’s easy passage to the semi finals.

“It definitely makes the public more interested in the draw, my phone hasn’t stopped with people excited to see me hopefully draw him first,” McKenna told Irish-boxing.com.

“I was always picking him first, not because I hate him, but because I honestly believe hes one of the weakest links in it.”

Public interest has generated to such heights because the incident was partly filmed by IFL TV.

A furious McKenna gatecrashed his MTK stablemates interview, but Kugan Cassius put down his camera to play peacemaker, leaving it unclear to what extent things got heated.

The rangy southpaw reveals nothing other than a scuffle ensued – and was only to happy to point out the former Matchroom starlet failed to back up some threats he made on Instagram during what was a successful Golden Contract debut.

“Basically he was mouthing off on insta live, saying when he seen me Friday he was gona smash me. I deliberately walked by him a few times and he did fuck all. So I decided when I seen him go out the back, where there’s no security or Sky cameras, that I’d pull him on it,” he continues before filling in the off camera blanks.

“Off camera it was just a scuffle really. I wouldn’t call it a fight because zero punches were thrown. It was more just pushing and shoving. Kugan, the interviewer, was quick to get between us before it got really heated and then it was just more less Kugan pushing me inside while I shouted shit at Ohara, as ya can hear on the video.”

The 29-year-old former child actor is known in Ireland as a brilliant fight builder. The Belfast entertainer, who accompanied Tyrone McCullagh to the ring dressed as a panda bear on Friday, knows how to generate interest in a fight – and as a result there were some who wondered if his head rather than his heart played a part in the attack.

McKenna insists he wasn’t playing a timely part and was reacting in anger.

“Nah it wasn’t for show or for the cameras. I’m a man of my word when I say I’m gona’ go for someone on sight that’s exactly what I do. Unlike him he promised he’d smack me and then he went for a hug.”

The Davies incident has generated enough hype that MTK and Sky could nearly go PPV with the next live draw, which plays out the Tuesday before fight night.

However, having been around the first quarter final installment, the southpaw believes excitement should be brewing regardless.

“Theres a serious buzz around the Golden Contract with the boxers only decided their opponents that week and fights being made that would normally never happen. It’s great for fans and great in general. I’m really looking forward to my one starting.

“I was always looking forward to it I love being in massive fights and exciting fights and all the other 7 fighters in the competition are going bring out the best in me I cant wait,” he adds before signing off with a Davies thought.

“I’m starting to think I’m not getting paid enough if I draw Ohara now,” he laughs. “I cant wait to stick my fist in his face.”

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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