Tyrone McKenna challenges rivals – “If anyone on our island wants to fight me – I’m up for it”
First he was known as ‘El Gatto,’ now he is known as ‘The Mighty Celt,’ but perhaps Tyrone McKenna should be labelled ‘Notorious.’
The Belfast light welter has stepped up in recent times and has been taking names, stopping previously undefeated Dublin fighters Sean Creagh and Jake Hanney and calling out other domestic rivals such as Willie Limond, Tyrone Nurse and, most notably, Ohara Davies.
McKenna [13(5)-0-1] will be in action again next month in his home city, and is set to face another strong opponent.
The Lenadoon southpaw was added to the BoxNation ‘Battle of Belfast’ card at the Waterfront Hall on Saturday June 17th last week, and is delighted to be part of the bumper bill.
McKenna told Irish-Boxing.com that “it’s great to be confirmed.”
“I was slightly worried they were leaving me out this time, but I still had my head down training and dieting like I was fighting.”
“I had faith in MTK that they would get me on one [of the two big Belfast cards in June]. You can’t have Jamie [Conlan] and Paddy [Barnes] on a show and leave me out. We’re a trio!”
The Danny Vaughan-trained boxer is currently out in Marbella preparing for the fight date and described how “training has been great thus far, my weight is great and there’s a great buzz in Team DV with Paddy going for a WBO title in his third fight and Jono [Carroll] going for his first title also.”
“It’s been a tough camp so far and, since I’ve been confirmed it has added motivation to my training.”
An announcement on opposition is expected soon, and McKenna is hoping for a third successive notable name.
The 27 year old revealed that “there’s talk that hopefully it will be a good opponent named this week, so hopefully that comes through and we can have another exciting build up and fight on our hands.”
“As you know, I’d fight anyone. So, if anyone on our island wants to fight me – I’m up for it.”
With his two televised wins in all-Irish scraps, McKenna’s star has skyrocketed in recent times, and he believes he is nearing a stage where he becomes a headliner in his own right.
McKenna outlined how “it’s great to see my team mates headlining in Belfast but it would be nice to be headlining my own show.”
“I don’t think I’m too far off with me being in exciting fights and getting more notoriety with each fight.”
“It could be sooner rather than later – if the big names have the balls to fight The Mighty Celt.”
Joining McKenna on the card next month will be Sean McGlinchey, Lewis Crocker, Jamie Conlan, Davey Oliver Joyce and Steven Ward, as well as rankings title fights for Paddy Barnes, Stephen Ormond, and Jono Carroll, against Silvio Oltneau, Craig Evans, and Johnny Quigley respectively.
Tickets for the ‘Battle of Belfast’ card on June 17th at the Waterfront Hall cost £30, £40, £60, and £150, and are available from the boxers involved or from HERE.
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
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Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey speak to Jason Quigley on Episode 5 of The Irish Boxing Show:
