Tyrone McKenna DOESN’T want to draw long term target Ohara Davies first
He has been beyond vocal about his desire to fight Ohara Davies [19(4)-2(1)] for some time now, yet Tyrone McKenna [19(6)-1(0)] ]doesn’t want to draw the ‘mouthpiece’ in the first round of the Golden Contract tournament.
Having called out the Londoner consistently for two years, the Belfast fighter is now literally a name out of a hat away from facing the Davies.
Both fighters are signed up to MTK Global’s Golden Contract tournament, an exciting concept that will them and six others at light welterweight go to battle for a two-year, five-fight contract with six-figure purses guaranteed for each of these contests.
To add to the excitement, fighters will not know their opponents until fight week, at the start of which the highly anticipated draws will be made- which means McKenna could get Davies as soon as the quarterfinals.
However, despite his regular call outs of the former Matchroom fighter it’s not a fight the southpaw wants next.
Not that ‘The Mighty Celt’ is wary of what ‘Two Tanks’ brings to the table, he just believes the nature of the late draw won’t afford him enough time to verbally torture a fighter he has a strong dislike for before he attempts to physically torture him in the ring.
“I am delighted the mouthpiece has signed up. He tried to run from me forever, but now hes cornered,” McKenna told Irish-boxing.com.
“I hope I draw that bottle job first, no wait, that would mean only a weeks build up and only a week to torture him, so maybe the semis would suit better.”
It’s tongue a cheek from one of the better Irish fight builders and self promoters, but it does address one of a number of things the late draw changes.
Not only will mind games not play a part the whole concept of camp may be shaken up.
Preparation will be different in terms of tactics and even sparring. How do you know what style to prepare for if you haven’t got an opponent? It could make things difficult for some, but McKenna believes that confusion benefits him.
The 28-year-old highlights that as the most unique of the eight in terms of style and stature coaches are likely to play the percentage game and train with the remaining six potential more similar opponents in mind.
“The draw structure doesn’t bother me, it actually makes things easier for me,” McKenna explains.
“There are eight fighters, I’m going be the only 6’1 southpaw, so none them are going be training for me. They’ll all be training for the average height come forward orthodox fighter. Take that into account and the draw leans in my favour.
“Plus I believe if your a talented boxer you should be able to read your fighter and what way you need to box with in the first minute anyway.”
Mckenna and Davies willl be joined in the tournament by Muhammad Mimoune, Akeem Ennis Brown Zhankosh Turarov and Anthony Yigit with more names to be confirmed.
Three quarter-finals nights will take place in October / November, three semi-finals nights in February / March and the all-important finals will be staged in May / June.
