Tempers flared as rival Irishmen Tyrone McKenna and Dylan Moran engaged in a war of words in Waterford.
The welterweights headline the Conlan Boxing card on ProBox TV at the SETU Arena on Saturday and Irish pride is on the line.
McKenna has been in camp in Germany while Moran has taken himself off to Spain to prepare.
“I feel like I’ve been away six months, locked up,” said McKenna. “The only time I was leaving the apartment was to go to the gym two or three times a day. I needed to be locked away and locked up. Everything has went to plan. Dylan wanted the best Tyrone McKenna. He’s got it.”
Moran, 19-2 (9 KOs), had earlier told his fans to put their houses on him winning.
“There will be a lot of homeless people in Waterford,” joked McKenna, who said he felt the pressure was off him and that he felt a renewed sense of motivation against his fellow southpaw.
“A defeat here ruins my career,” he admitted.
After McKenna, 23-5-1 (6 KOs), promised he would be at his best, Moran replied: “It’s great to hear. It sounds like he’s here.
“On Saturday night we will see who the better boxer is, who the better fighter is, and who has the better engine.”
Then McKenna interrupted, “Who have you fought? You’ve fought journeyman after journeyman after journeyman…
“There’s nothing you do in boxing better than me other than take a beatin’.”
Then, with a nod to Moran’s first-round loss to Florian Marku, McKenna continued: “You have the worst chin in Irish boxing.”
Promoter Jamie Conlan said the fighters clearly appreciated the level of competitiveness in one another given the work they have put in.
Conversely, it was all respect in the co-feature between junior welterweight 18-0 Californian Jonathan Navarro and 17-3 Mexican Jair Valtierra.
Both making their first visits to Ireland, Navarro said he had only been focused on training and making the most of the opportunity.
“I’m grateful to Ireland for having me. I hope Ireland likes my performance and I’ll be back soon,” said the Californian, who returned this year after five years out.
“I took some time off, it was during Covid and then it was family time and injuries I hadn’t recovered from. Expect everything a Mexican fighter can bring.”
Valtierra, via a translator, said: “I’m grateful for the opportunity and delighted I have a chance to show my skills.”
“They’re both quality fighters and it’s a real coup for us to bring them to Waterford,” added Conlan.
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