TYRONE McKenna is taking on a “banana skin” from France after his high-profile rumble with Tommy Coyle fell through.
McKenna-Coyle promised to be among the highlights of a jam-packed undercard for Saturday night’s Ryan Burnett/Zhanat Zhakiyanov bantamweight unification showdown at the SSE Arena, but Hull hardman Coyle pulled out with injury leaving McKenna up against ‘Le Lion’ Renald Garrido.
Marseille native Garrido may be a late replacement, but he won’t travel for the paycheque and has heard the final bell in all 37 of his pro contests so far. ‘Mighty Celt’ McKenna knows he’ll have to produce his best on Saturday night or risk being toppled back down the light-welterweight ladder.
“He’s tough enough for a last-minute call,” McKenna agreed.
“He’s the same sort of fighter as Tommy Coyle, he’s not really worried, he just comes forward and he’s a high-pressure fighter. I’ve been training away for that, so I’m happy enough.
“Tommy Coyle is a far bigger name but I would say he was less of a risk. He was an easier opponent than this guy, this guy comes to win. He’s been in with Bradley Saunders and he’s had a few draws with big names as well so you’re taking a lot of risk without the name that Tommy Coyle brings.
“He fights at a high, high place. It’s not an easy fight, he’s not somebody people would ever pick because he’s always fit and he’s always game. I think it’s going to be an exciting fight for the fans.”
McKenna (14-0-1) admits news that Coyle was pulling out came as blow. He sat out training for a day, but quickly got back to work after realising that anything less than his best will give Garrido the chance of causing an upset.
“I woke up on Friday morning a couple of weeks ago and I had a mail from Tommy Coyle,” he explained.
“I was thinking: ‘What’s this about?’ I opened it up and he was saying: ‘I’ve hurt my hand in training and the fight’s off’.
“I couldn’t get up for training that morning, I was gutted but I knew my team (MTK) would get me another good opponent. They promised to get me somebody good and I was back to training the next day.
“He (Garrido) is well respected in boxing and if I look good against this guy, even if I stop him, knock him out, it’s a massive thing because everybody knows how tough he is. I just have to keep my head on the game because if I slip up here then it does ruin my career. It’s a banana skin, so I have to be fully focussed.”
An all-Ireland battle with Dublin scrapper Phil Sutcliffe jnr remains high on McKenna’s wishlist. McKenna has made no secret of the fact that he wants to face the Drimnagh fighter.
“I was looking for an opponent two weeks’ ago and he knew that and he was nowhere to be seen,” said McKenna.
“As soon as the opponent (Garrido) was announced that’s when he pipes up. I don’t know if he actually wants to fight me or whether he just likes to talk about it.
“I’m 100 per cent game for the fight – I’ll fight him any time and I’ve always said that to my management. Phil Sutcliffe is a name that I want, I want to be known as the best junior-welterweight in the country and he’s the man I have to beat to prove that.”
He added: “He’s coming off a loss to Josh Leather and I think that’s why he’s started to put my name about because he needs it more than me at the minute.
“I’m undefeated and I’m getting recognised now, but it’ll be a massive fight if it happens and I can’t see it going past six rounds because I don't think he has a chin.”
SSE Arena card
IBF World Bantamweight and WBA Super World Bantamweight titles: Ryan Burnett (17-0) v Zhanat Zhakiyanov (27-1)
IBF East/West Europe Lightweight title: Paul Hyland jnr (16-0) v Stephen Ormond (24-4)
Super-lightweight: Tyrone McKenna (14-0-1) v Renald Garrido (19-16-2)
WBA International Super Featherweight title: James Tennyson (19-2) v Darren Traynor (14-1)
Welterweight: Josh Kelly (3-0) v TBC
Super featherweight: Feargal McCrory (6-0) v Troy James (20-4-1)
Cruiserweight: Tommy McCarthy (9-1) v TBC
Lightweight: Joe Fitzpatrick (7-0) v Mwenya Chisanga (1-1)
Lightweight: Gary Cully (1-0) v TBC
Super-welterweight: Anthony Fowler (3-0) v TBC
GEORGE Groves wants to fight Chris Eubank jnr at Stamford Bridge after setting up their World Boxing Super Series semi-final by stopping Jamie Cox.
Making the first defence of his WBA super-middleweight title at Wembley Arena, Groves clinically stopped his challenger in the fourth round with a powerful right to the body, and will next fight Eubank Jnr in January or February.
Eubank Jnr was ringside and afterwards joined Groves in the ring. Competition organisers Sauerland are exploring Stamford Bridge, Craven Cottage, Emirates Stadium, the Amex Stadium, London's 02 Arena and the Manchester Arena.
"We're looking at the Stamford Bridge fixture list, and the last week of January, when Chelsea are away, Kalle (Sauerland, his promoter) promised me we're going to fight there," joked Groves, 29 and a Chelsea supporter.
"It's definitely going to happen. Kalle's going to move the FA Cup fixtures, and make sure it's sunny that day.
"Eubank is a performer first, a fighter second; he's always aware of how he's being perceived. He will relish the big occasion; he was desperate to fight me because he knows it's a big fight.
"Whether it'll dawn later on that that pressure isn't easy to carry; it'll be great, fun, but not unique to me.
"I've been looking forward to the Eubank Jnr fight for quite a while. He's improved, but hasn't boxed anyone on my level, and if I box like I did (against Cox), he doesn't stand a chance. I boxed tremendously."
He was also asked if he was considering retiring in 2018, and responded: "I'll have a minimum of two more fights (until the end of the WBSS) and then we'll see what's next.
"There's definitely no thoughts of retirement: I'm not counting down the days. As soon as you start doing that, it's time to give it up. I've got some tasty fights coming up."
The timing of Groves-Eubank Jnr for early 2018 means an outdoor fight at a football stadium remains unlikely, but Sauerland said: "We're looking at venues: it's a tricky time. You can take that fight to any stadium in the country.
"It's January, February, and something you would do indoors, but we're looking at outdoors as well, a place that'd make it as accessible to as many people as possible. Unfortunately the UK doesn't have the biggest choice of indoor venues."
Cox, 31, was asked who he expected to win between Groves and Eubank Jnr, and he responded: "George Groves. He's got a very good brain, is capable with his power. He boxed very smart."
His trainer John Costello said: "For 10-and-a-half weeks, I said 'Jamie, if you miss with the left hand, George's reaction shot is the right uppercut'. We spoke about it for 10-and-a-half-weeks; Jamie's failure's my failure."
