“I don’t see why this fight can’t be made” – Keane McMahon calls for John Joyce title clash

Keane McMahon [4(1)-0] is willing to put friendship aside to entertain fight fans on the next Celtic Clash instalment.

The 24-year-old is confident he is next in line for a BUI welterweight title fight and would like to fight John Joyce [6(3)-0] in a big Dublin derby later this year.

for what he believes will be a vacant strap.

Jay Byrne, who McMahon expressed a desire to challenge after he recorded his fourth pro win on the Celtic Clash 6 card, is the reigning title holder but recently told Irish-Boxing.com that he would prefer to fight the Smithfield stylist for the Irish title once he is eligible and could step aside to facilitate this

McMahon is keen to progress quickly and stake his claim to being Ireland’s top welterweight, with his team said to be exploring options for the yet to be officially confirmed Celtic Clash 7 bill.

A non-Irish Celtic title-eligible opponent may be an option, but McMahon believes fight fans would prefer a domestic clash and is hoping Joyce will ensure that happens.

Fittingly, ‘The Iceman’ was cool in explaining why he wanted a Joyce clash and was keen to avoid a heated call out.

The pair frequent the Celtic Warriors Gym, have sparred, and have built a friendship – but to get where he wants to be, McMahon is willing to fight the Tony Davitt-trained solider.

“I would love the John Joyce fight,” he told Irish-Boxing.com

“I know John well and he is a good lad. We get on and I hope he does well in his career, but I think a fight between us would be perfect for the Celtic title.”

“We are both unbeaten and have fought on some cards together. It’s a great clash of styles.”

“I don’t see why this fight can’t be made, we are both close together in terms of our progression even though he has two more fights. This would be a cracker of a fight to make and a fight I think I would win.”

Whether or not team Joyce accept the challenge remains to be seen but, regardless, McMahon is confident he will challenge for the title soon.

“It’s up to John and his team what they want to do, they make the decisions, that’s best for him, but I am told I am on course to fight for the title,” he mused.

“Fair play to Jay [Byrne], he said he would vacate so we could fight for it. If it hasn’t to someone other than Joyce so be it. I just want that title and I feel I am ready for it.”

“We could get a Welsh, Scottish or lad from abroad in, but I think the fans would love an all Irish clash. All the recent all Irish fights have been entertaining and the fans loved them.”

“I would love my next fight to be for a strap. I think I’ve shown I’m more than capable and belong there now hopefully the next fight is for a title.”

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