I’ve got the plan to beat old foe again: Mckenna
CONSIDERING the genuine bad blood that exists between Tyrone Mckenna and Mohamed Mimoune, it’s not a stretch to say they will go to war at the SSE Arena tonight as the headline act on a 12-fight ‘Repeat or Revenge’ card (live on DAZN).
The pair met in early 2020 in London with Mckenna claiming victory on the cards, but the Frenchman was less than impressed with he verdict, opting for a sit-down protest in the ring despite another fight scheduled for after.
In the years since, Mimoune — a former European welterweight champion — has lost two of three outings to see his record slide to 23-6, but his desire to rematch ‘The Mighty Celt’ hasn’t subsided and now he gets his chance.
At 36, ‘The Problem’ is in the twilight of his career, whilst Mckenna is coming off a shortlived retirement following his loss to Lewis Crocker in December.
Retreating back into civilian life wasn’t for the 34-year-old Belfast southpaw who feels he still has more to give despite being involved in countless thrillers throughout his 28-fight career that has resulted in 23 victories, four defeats and a draw.
Inspired by the world title success of close friend Anthony Cacace, Mckenna still harbours ambitions of reaching the top, but he must come through against his old foe from Toulouse this evening.
Mimoune, who is now based in Florida, may not be the biggest puncher in the world with just four of his 23 career wins coming inside the distance, but his most recent win — against the previously unbeaten Steven Galeano last year — came by way of a TKO.
Considering he was aggrieved by his reverse to Mckenna on the cards in their first meeting, undoubtedly he will be in Belfast determined to take the matter out of the judges’ hands.
“He’ll come out all-guns-blazing, but that will be his downfall,” Mckenna predicts.
“The last one was a toe-to-toe war but it was in a 16-foot ring where if I took a step back, I was in a corner. This time the ring will be bigger and I’m a different fighter.
“I was only with (coach) Pete Taylor for six weeks before the first fight, so had no time to gel. I think I’m a much smarter fighter and he has gone backwards.
“His emotions will get the better of him where he will try to blast me out, fight with his heart rather than his head, but I will stick to my plan. I know what works and what doesn’t from the first fight, so that is what I have been working on.”
It promises to be another thriller involving Mckenna and one in which defeat will almost certainly spell the end of any realistic title ambitions for the vanquished, so expect fireworks from the opening bell.
In the chief support slot, Caoimhin Agyarko (14-0) returns to the scene of a career-best win when he takes on late replacement, Bahadur Karami.
‘Black Thunder’ had hoped December’s win over Troy Williamson would pave the way for a quick return, but has been left on the sidelines for longer than anticipated, but can use tonight’s Conlan Boxing card as an opportunity to build towards a step-up before the end of the year.
South Armagh middleweight Fearghus Quinn (9-0) takes on the fellow-unbeaten Aston Brown from Glasgow.
Quinn has been operating at a higher level than the Scot and will feel he is a step ahead, as he should be if he performs.
An intriguing all-irish battle is also slated with Belfast’s Owen O’neill (13-0) and Waterford’s Dylan Moran (18-2) set to meet over eight rounds in a welterweight clash.
There is plenty of emerging talent on the undercard including former Holy Trinity amateurs Jack O’neill and Teo Alin who are making their professional debuts, Coleraine featherweight Matthew Boreland, Belfast’s John Boyd who went 2-0 just last weekend and another local debutant in Gary Arthurs.