Jay Byrne rules out rivalry with Keane McMahon

BUI Celtic welterweight champion Jay Byrne [7(2)-5(1)] has warned fighters, fans, and reporters from trying to trying to build a Jay Byrne v Keane McMahon rivalry.

‘The Iceman’ stressed his desire to move up to domestic level after his ‘Celtic Clash 6’ win earlier this month and namedropped the division’s secondary beltholder as a potential foe.

‘The Negotiator’ claims he has bigger fish to fry and, while he sees McMahon [4(1)-0] as a welter with potential, he doesn’t seem to see him as a viable opponent as of yet.

However, so desperate is the Loughlinstown road warrior to secure an Irish title before he exits stage left that he would be willing to trade leather with the Inner City Dub if it’s the only way he can realise that dream.

“If Keane is eligible for the Irish title then let’s fight and, if not, then once his team make me the right offer to defend the Celtic title then let’s fight,” Byrne told Irish-Boxing.com from his holiday in Turkey before he moved to quash any rivalry suggestions. 

“I can vacate and let him and John Joyce fight for it either. I really don’t care but, listen, when I say this, don’t try build a poxy rivalry around me and Keane as there ain’t one there.”

“I’m past that stage in my career and my focus after this holiday is Scotland on September 14th where I go into my fourth title fight in five fights.”

Byrne returns to Scotland in September in a bid to become BBBofC Celtic light middleweight champion. The challenge-keen Dub takes on Marc Kerr at the same venue Paul Kean prevented him becoming the first ever two weight BUI Celtic champ earlier this year. 

Byrne, who played a part in getting former foe Craig O’Brien a fight on Sky PPV this weekend, also has his sights set on Matchroom new boy Daniyar Yeleussinov.

Conor Benn doesn’t seem keen, he feels he has exhausted the Irish title route, so the 31-year-old wants the Olympic champion. 

“I have also thrown my name into the hat to fight Daniyar Yeleussinov on the Joshua [v Povetkin] card if he is scheduled to be on it.”

“It’s eight months now I’ve looked for an Irish title opponent and put many a name forward to be refused so, as my career comes to an end, I won’t wait around.”

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