TYRONE McKenna is keeping his cards close to his chest but a “a massive” summer rumble – possibly against long-term rival Ohara Davis or WBA Inter-Continental champion Lewis Ritson – is on the cards for the Belfast light-welterweight.
Glasgow-based McKenna is probably better known for throwing caution to the wind and getting stuck into a tear-up but he boxed to orders at the Ulster Hall and picked up an emphatic decision win over Oscar Amador on Friday night to move to 18-1-1 as a pro.
“I was told to go out and box and not to get into a war,” said ‘The Mighty Celt’.
“I had the opportunity to go to war, but I stuck to the game-plan given to me by Danny Vaughan and I think I looked well tonight.
“This will help to keep me ticking over for big fights. Instead of going stale in the gym, I’d rather get a good six rounds in the bank.
“I can’t say much, but it’s going to be a massive one as it’s one I really want, so let’s hope it happens.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s away because I bring fans wherever I go and everyone loves an away day.”
Steven Ward is also chasing a title fight this year. ‘The Quiet Man’ wrapped up a ninth straight win against Josip Perkovic on the undercard of Cummings-Keeler 2.
“I think I hurt him a couple of times,” he said.
“I threw about 50 shots in 10 seconds but none of them got through and Nigel (Travis) and Jamie (Moore) were quick to have a go about that.
“I caught him through the middle early and it seemed so easy, so maybe I was getting a bit bored.
“I think when I buzzed him there and I had been doing so well in sparring, it took the edge off me, but it won’t happen again.
“There are a couple I have my eye on, but there’s no point in calling people out because I don’t have a say in it. I have 100 per cent faith in the management so it’s not for me to do that.”
Ward – who missed out on an undercard slot on the Carl Frampton v Josh Warrington bill in Manchester late last year – wants to make up for lost time. He says he is ready to step up to British or Commonwealth title level at short notice.
“I thought I was ok going into the fight, but you never know what demons are in your head,” he added.
“He slipped me and landed a good back-hand over the top. That’s what caused the marks and a few headbutts from falling in.
“I know this might sound stupid as I’m marked up, but I felt I was a level above him and I tend to switch off then.
“I thought I buzzed him (in the sixth) but I may as well have thrown a handful of rice at him. I was thinking if there were enough punches going in and enough noise, the referee may have stepped in.
“I’m in the gym full time and doing a lot of work with Gareth Edgar for strength and conditioning. He makes sure I don’t get too heavy and he’s the reason I’m in such good shape.
“I just want to stay ready as MTK make things happen and I’m very grateful to be with them. If I were to get called and said there was a British or Commonwealth title in four weeks’ time, then I want to be ready.
“That was my first fight back in six months, so I’m looking forward to the year ahead.”
ALFREDO Meli dedicated his comeback win at the Ulster Hall on Friday night to the memory of Immaculata ABC stalwart Gerry Fitzpatrick.
‘Mac’ clubman Meli returned after a year on the wrong side of the ropes by stopping Achilles Szabo at the Bedford Street venue and afterwards he paid a heartfelt tribute to ‘Fitzy’, who passed away late last month aged 66.
“He is a very big loss to the club so this is the most respectful thing I could think of doing tonight,” said Meli.
“He was a great man and there (in the club) every night of the week.
“He was always there for me and the rest of the lads in the club so he will be a big loss, not only for his family but to the gym and the community because he was well known throughout the Lower Falls.”
Meli drew with Conrad Cummings in an Irish middleweight title fight in late 2015 and, although his career has stalled somewhat since then, he is determined to kick on after his comeback victory.
“This is definitely the start of me getting back into things to get the ball rolling again,” he said.
“I wanted to let everyone know that I was back, so I went for it. He was a tough lad and weighed in at 12st12lbs whereas I was just over 11 stone so I wanted to make a statement that none of that mattered and I was ready.
“I knew I had the power and knew what I had to do, but I felt like I could keep him there a bit longer and finish him off in the second.
“I have the backing from MTK so I may as well (try to push on). It’s my own fault I haven’t because I’ve always put other things in front, but now I’m freed up I can do what I need to do.”
Meanwhile, Padraig McCrory progressed to 7-0 with a points win over Nicaraguan journeyman Santos Medrano on Friday night.
“He was really tricky, but it was good to get the six rounds in,” said the super-middleweight.
“When they don’t want to engage or want to get away from you, it’s hard to take that step back because you’re looking for a shot over the top. It looks crap, but it is what it is. I found myself winging shots, but then I thought it would be better to get the rounds even thought he was small and I wanted to get him out.
“He was so hard to hit because he was so low and I was punching down.”
‘The Hammer’ is now chasing a Celtic title fight “by the end of the year” and, with regular work, he has the tools to make an impact in a competitive division.
“This is all a learning curve,” he said.
“I believe I’m going onto bigger and better things. The Ulster Hall was loud tonight so it was great to experience that. You want to put a show on for the crowd and sometimes you feel you’re letting them down.
“By the end of this year, I definitely want at least a BUI Celtic title, to be unbeaten and about 10-0. You have fighters all over Ireland, Scotland and Wales there who could fight so there are options.”
DAVID Oliver Joyce has fought six times in Belfast so far but he swaps the streets of the fighting city for the desert heat of exotic Emirates Golf Club in Dubai this weekend.
‘The Punisher’ takes on Scotland’s Stephen Tiffney for the WBO European featherweight title and the unbeaten Mullingar fighter (9-0 with seven early wins) is determined to impress live on ESPN+ and iFLTV.
“This is a quality card,” said Joyce.
“The people want to see talented fighters and after they see how exciting this sport is, they’re going to be hungry to see more.
“I don’t think it’ll be too long before you see a world title fight in Dubai because people are going to love boxing.
“For the Irish fans in Dubai – come and watch ‘The Punisher’ and see what I’ve got in the bag. Get behind me and support me in one of the best places in the world!
“I can’t wait to put on a showcase for them and everyone in Dubai, live on ESPN+ and iFL TV. It doesn’t get any better than that.
“It’s all about getting your name out there and my team at MTK Global has been phenomenal in doing that for me.
“I don’t look at rankings or call people out. I’m not that sort of guy. I just want big fights in the future and I know this one opens a lot of doors for me.”
Local favourite Aliu Bamidele Lasisi tops the bill in a bid for the WBC International super-flyweight title against Ricardo Blandon. Kazakh talents Sultan Zaurbek and Abilkhaiyr Shegaliyev and Olympic champion Shakhobidin Zoirov also feature on the bill.
