Tyrone McKenna v Shortty Carroll fight a no-go
The sanctioned BUI Celtic light welterweight title fight between champion Tyrone McKenna [12(4)-0-1] and Stephen Carroll [5(1)-0] wont be happening any time soon.
The Boxing Union of Ireland (BUI) authorised the bout on Saturday, however the match-up, as many had predicted, will not take place.
Tony Davitt, manager and trainer of Dubliner Carroll, has passed on the clash due to it not fitting into ‘Shortty’s’ current plan of progression.
It is believed that MGM, who manage McKenna, were keen for the eight-round title fight to take place on Boxnation show at the Waterfront Hall on February 18th. However, with the preferred date just six weeks away, and it being Davitt’s intention to build Carroll’s record and experience throughout 2016, the veteran manager has refused to entertain the bout.
Carroll, who had last week spoke of these intentions of development, explained the situation to Irish-Boxing.com this evening.
The 24 year old outlined how “it was the BUI who called it. It was basically an idea of the BUI as they thought it would be a great fight and what people want to see. Neither side knew anything about it. Tony talked to MGM and Mel [Christle, BUI President] today and explained how he wants to build my record first. He explained how he respected Tyrone’s record of 13 fights.”
Carroll stressed that a championship fight with McKenna, perhaps for the Irish title, is something which he is definitely open to, and indicated that he will take the fight as soon as he is given the go-ahead by his manager.
“I’d love it [the McKenna fight], because he’s a very good lad, but Tony’s the boxing brain and wants me to get the experience first.”
This accumulation of experience for Ballyfermot’s Carroll will continue on Friday March 3rd at the Alona Hotel in Motherwell, Scotland on a Prospect Boxing show where he will face a to-be-confirmed opponent over four rounds.
McKenna on the other hand looks set to be added to the aforementioned February 18th card in Belfast, and it is hoped that a suitable and strong opponent can be found for ‘The Mighty Celt.’
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Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey look ahead to 2017 in episode 1 of The Irish Boxing Show
