New Year’s Resolutions: McKenna aims to continue hot streak ahead of “inevitable” Sutcliffe showdown
Light welterweight Tyrone McKenna [12(4)-1(0)] was one of Irish boxing’s breakthrough stars of 2016 – and he’s looking to continue that upward trend throughout the coming year.
The Belfast southpaw linked up with MGM and, under Liverpudlian trainer Danny Vaughan, got active, moved down in weight, and capped the year off with a sensational win over Sean Creagh on the Belfast ‘Homecoming’ Boxnation show.
McKenna was happy with his year’s work and told Irish-Boxing.com how “I don’t think 2016 could have went any better for me. It was filled with a lot of changes and firsts with new management, a new trainer, and new weight class. It’s all brought out the best in me. I’m now consistently getting fights and training properly with Danny, really improving my boxing and I also picked up my first title in my first televised fight so I couldn’t be happier with how 2016 went.”
Looking ahead, McKenna outlined how “in 2017 I’m just looking to build on what I’ve achieved in 2016. Obviously my management has a plan laid out for me already and we are looking to get get some big names and title fights this year.”
“I want to be in some memorable fights in 2017.”
One fight in particular has been mentioned more than most, an Irish title clash with Phil Sutclife Jr [12(7)-1(0)]. The Dubliner is ranked #2 in the Irish rankings, while BUI Celtic champion McKenna is top of the ladder. Both managed by MGM, the match-up seems easy to make, and has been voted by Irish fans as their #1 all-Irish fight for 2017.
‘The Mighty Celt’ is more than open to the bout, and described how “the last time I looked, it was the most wanted all-Irish fight by the public for 2017. I love to give the fans what they want – so yeah I would definitely be up for it”
“Phil is doing really well for himself after a career-best win against a tough Jenkins the same night I picked up my Celtic title. The public would love to see how me v him would go and I believe it would be a massively entertaining fight.”
“I believe it’s inevitable that we will fight, but I believe it’ll be later in 2017 rather than early… but who knows? Time will tell.”
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
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Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey look ahead to 2017 in episode 1 of The Irish Boxing Show
