Record-killer Tyrone McKenna excited for another all-Irish clash with Jake Hanney

Tyrone McKenna [12(4)-0-1] is relishing the chance to become the 0-snatcher of the Irish lightwelterweight division.

The Belfast southpaw already destroyed the unbeaten record of Sean Creagh back in November with a sensational performance to win the BUI Celtic title. Now he will defend that belt against another undefeated Dubliner, Jake Hanney [5(4)-0], on the next Belfast Boxnation show, which takes place on Saturday February 18th at the Waterfront Hall.

Indeed ‘The Mighty Celt’ takes a certain sense of pleasure in cracking duck eggs and told Irish-Boxing.com that “I love domestic fights and I love fighting undefeated fighters – people that have never tasted defeat because now I have a chance to take their 0 and do something that no-one else has achieved and defeat them.”

“One thing Irish fight fans love is an all-Irish dust up – and, even more than that, there’s nothing better than a Belfast v Dublin dust-up ”

As recently as last weekend, McKenna had lamented the lack of willing opponents, but now finds himself set to face a dangerous and talented fighter. The 26 year old was always confident that a strong opponent would be found, and he explained that “I had belief in my management, MTK, that they would get an opponent. They’ve never failed me and, as usual, they delivered a great fight that the Irish public can really get excited for. It’s going to be a brilliant fight for the fans.”

“I have been training flat out even though I didn’t know who my opponent was or even if I was on the Waterfront show. I always train hard and like to be ready for anything, but now that everything is confirmed and its an great fight to be involved in it definitely excites me more.”

Hanney comes to the ring with a big reputation, which McKenna is well aware of. The Lenadoon fighter however has belief in his own ability and, for this fight, is spending some time out in Los Angeles where he will spar none other than Miguel Cotto.

McKenna described how “I’ve seen Jake in the amatuers. Growing up he fought a few of my friends, Anto Cacace and Paddy Gal. He was always a good kid but he kind of went off the scene for a while and then turned pro out in Oz and obviously has had a great start to his pro career being undefeated and knocking out most of his opponents.”

“But I’m very confident in my ability and believe that the better the opponent, the better Tyrone. I feel you’ll see me shine come the 18th.”

“I’m out in LA getting unreal sparring and training done so I’ll be flying come fight night.”

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