Jake Hanney – “They didn’t want me at my peak”

Jake Hanney [5(4)-0] claims Tyrone McKenna [12(4)-0-1] was hoping to bluff a good name and another Dublin victim on to his record.

The Dubliner agreed to fight the Belfast fighter at just three weeks notice and hours after returning from a holiday.

Hanney took the fight knowing the reward – victory over a rising star on a high profile show and a BUI Celtic title to buckle around his waist was worth the risk.

However, the fight initially set for February 18th was pushed back to March 10th after headliner Jamie Conlan came down with a illness – and Hanney was all but delighted with the delay.

The unknown quantity now says comes to the ring fully fit and in much better shape than he would have on February 18th.

Hanney explained to Irish-Boxing.com that “I got the phone call about the fight the day I came back from holidays. Obviously they knew I was away, then throw in a nine month lay off and they are thinking we can get a good name on the record as he hasn’t had roper time to prepare.”

“They didn’t want me at my peak, but wanted to make it look like they beat a good undefeated boxer.”

“Now, with the lay off, it’s nearly a full camp and I am flying. My weight is good, I have trained well and I am ready to go. It made a big difference.”

“I am ready and I know he is, but I know Tyrone from the amateur days, he knows me and we both know this isn’t an easy fight for him.”

Team McKenna have had up close and personal experience of Hanney after coach Danny Vaughan tutored the fighter who forged a name for himself in Australia at the MTK gym for a short period.

However, Hanney is keen to point out that if the decision to make the fight was made on the back of his time in Marbella it’s “another mistake’.

“He might have some inside stuff from when I was over with Danny Vaughan, but when I was over in MTK I was 12 stone,” he continued.

“I was never in shape and I wasn’t sharp. I am 10 stone now and you know yourself your a lot sharper when your fit. So I hope he goes into the ring thinking that is my level because it will make things easier for me.”

“Obviously he needs that reassurance if they are telling him I am beatable based on that. Again he should worry about himself not me.”