Keane McMahon ready for new challenge

Should all go to plan, there will be a somewhat familiar feeling for Keane McMahon on Saturday night

The five-time underage all-Ireland champion makes his pro debut on the ‘Celtic Clash 2’ bill in Dublin, making a return to the venue that he ruled as an amateur.

The challenge-hungry McMahon now wants to make an impact in the pro game – and believes he is “perfect” for the paid ranks.

Looking ahead to his debut, The Iceman said that “I feel brilliant. I’m very excited, it’s a new experience, I’m looking forward to it.

“The last fight got cancelled, I was meant to be on the Táimid Laochra card and that got called off. I was a bit disappointed, but I’m glad to get out relatively quickly [afterwards].”

“I’ve had more time to work in the gym, working on the things you can’t get away with like in the amateurs

The welterweight was a successful amateur but has turned pro at the relatively young age of 22, without ever having tried his gloves at the Elite Senior Championships.

The Dubliner explained that “it was the right time to go pro.

“I won everything in the amateurs apart from the Seniors, I got injured the year I was supposed to enter.”

“I won everything domestically so it was time for a new challenge.”

In terms of what fans can expect on Saturday night, McMahon is promising a classy performance.

“I just think I’ve the perfect style to be a good pro,” he stated.

“I’m a bit of a boxer-puncher. I’m technically good, a slick boxer, but I’ve been working on a few things, sitting down on shots.”

“You can expect a good, solid, technical performance.”

The card on Saturday is headlined by Eric Donovan, with further support from Mike Perez, Jay Byrne, Gerard Whitehouse, Stephen Carroll, Sean Creagh, Rohan Date, Carl McDonald, Vladimir Belujsky, Allan Phelan, and Lynn Harvey, as well as debutants Regan Buckley, John Joyce, Liam Gaynor, John Corcoran, and Stephen McAfee.

Tickets for Celtic Clash 2 are priced at €15 (Under 15s), €30, €40, €45, and €55 (Premium), and are available from the boxers involved.

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

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