Tyrone McKenna is back boxing in Belfast and ready to take the domestic scene by storm. Following five successful bouts in America the promising welterweight has returned home to be closer to his family and found his way on to Mark Dunlop’s February 7 Devenish card. After four rounds of honest toil, McKenna walked away with a 40-37 victory over Teodor Stefanov and the first step on the road to titles was taken in a competent manner.
Paul Hyland Jnr got another solid six rounds under his belt at the Devenish Complex recently and now the Belfast boxer is closing in on an Irish title shot. Paul was thorough and controlled during his 60-54 domination of Yordan Vasilev and admitted his hands were aching post-fight due to the excessive hurt he had piled on poor Yordan.
Purposefully striding into the ring amidst a cacophony of cheers and adulation Ciaran McVarnock was relishing his Belfast debut. After all, the 22-year-old had been eager to return home and display his skills to a burgeoning fan base after winning two bouts across the water. Following a bruising six-twos against Lithuanian survivor Aivaras Balsys, Ciaran moved his fledgling record to 3-0 by virtue of a 60-54 success on Hugh Russell Jnr’s Scorecard. The youngster later revealed, however, that he was not happy with his overall performance.
Mark Dunlop’s ‘Stand and Deliver’ card on February 7 is taking shape, with James Tennyson and Paul Hyland Jnr co-headlining the Devenish Complex event. Tennyson is aiming to solidify a domestic ranking as he closes in on British title honours and will be keen to shake off the ring rust against Simas Volisinas.
Ryan Burnett is back on the boxing beat following a resounding one-round stoppage of Valentin Marinov in the Devenish Complex. Ryan was pleased to be punching again after a frustrating one-year spell away from the ring.
Paddy Gallagher has been itching to get punching again and the Irish boxing prospect finally gets his wish tonight at the Devenish Complex. Paddy has made some alterations to his background setup and new trainer John Breen has been busy implementing some refinements to the welterweight’s game.
James Fryers is willing to do whatever it takes to get the victories on his record even if that means stepping into the trenches and winning ugly. The Belfast lightweight was made to work hard for his fifth professional win, achieved in the Devenish Complex last Saturday evening, but he managed to grind out a shutout over Portsmouth southpaw Lewis O’Mara. As the Irish boxing system continues to push out talented fighters from a relentless conveyor belt Fryers could be one to watch in the future.