TYRONE McKenna couldn’t stay gone. He told everyone he’d retire if he lost to Lewis Crocker in December last year. The thought that he might actually lose never crossed his mind so, when he did, he had no option but to hang up his gloves.
Of course they didn’t stay on the hook for long and ‘The Mighty Celt’ is back to headline the Conlan Boxing show at the SSE Arena on Saturday night and settle the score against former opponent Mohamed Mimoune.
They first fought in London back in 2020 and there were many – and with good reason – who felt McKenna was lucky to get the decision that night. He disputes that but the critical reaction to the result has always irritated him and he intends to prove any doubters wrong against the Roy Jones junior-trained Frenchman.
“Coming back, I’ve got a new fire in my belly,” he says.
“I’m hungrier than ever, I’m excited.
“The crowd still love me – as long as you entertain they’ll come out – and the tickets have been flying out for Saturday night.”
McKenna isn’t back to soak up another night of acclaim from his many fans or pick up a final pay cheque. He spent a month in Thailand getting in shape with trainer Conor McBride and then went through a camp with coach Pete Taylor.
“I had let myself go a lot,” he admits.
“I hadn’t put on my trainers since the Crocker fight so I was unfit and out of shape and I needed something to shock my system so going out to Conor McBride at the Bangtao Gym was something that was needed.
“I was immersed in boxing, I was immersed in the lifestyle and it was an unbelievable month there. I lost a lot of weight and then I went back with Pete down in Dublin to concentrate on tactics and what I’m going to do against Mimoune on the night. I’m buzzing for the fight and I can’t wait to smash this guy up.”
Smashing up Mimoune is easier said than done and the Frenchman will come to Belfast determined to get the win he feels he should have had last time. Since their first meeting ‘The Problem’ has fought (the Covid pandemic was a factor in his inactivity) three times, all in the USA. He lost two of those but did stop previously unbeaten Steven Galeano last year and, with former pound-for-pound superstar Roy Jones junior in his corner he won’t be lacking for experience in his corner.
“Mimoune doesn’t even speak English so why’s he bringing Roy Jones junior with him?” asked an unimpressed McKenna.
“I’m buzzing Roy Jones is coming because when I was amateur I tried to fight like him. He was my hero so that has given me a boost.”
Meanwhile, Caoimhin Agyarko returns to action for the first time since last December as chief support. Agyarko looked slick and stylish as he boxed to a career-best win against Troy Williamson in his last fight but his career has stalled since then.
“It has been mentally tough for me,” he explained.
“I’ve been struggling with inactivity for the last couple of years. I had an injury that kept me out for a while and then I came back and beat someone like Troy Williamson. Nobody wanted to fight Troy so not being able to push on after that is frustrating but it can’t be all sunshine and rainbows, this is boxing and it doesn’t always go as planned.
“I’m ranked number nine in the world and I should be pushing on to bigger fights by the end of the year.”
Also on the card is middleweight Fearghus Quinn while unbeaten Owen O’Neill returns in good shape against Waterford’s Dylan Moran (18-2).
“It’s strictly business for me,” said Moran, who lost to Florian Marku in Manchester last time out.
“I took a hit last time out and I want to right my wrongs and getting a win on Saturday will put me back in contention for some big fights.
“He’ll bring loads of fans so everything will be against me and all of that will work in my favour. The louder they are the more I like it and I hope the best Owen O’Neill there’s ever been gets in the ring on Saturday night because he’s getting the best Dylan Moran.”