Tyrone McKenna predicts stoppage over ‘two-round fighter’ Phil Sutcliffe

Tyrone McKenna [16(6)-0-1] is ready to prove he is the best light welterweight in Ireland by beating rival Phillip Sutcliffe Jr [14(9)-2(1)] on a brilliant Michael Conlan undercard next month.

Indeed, McKenna is adamant he will stop a fighter he previously labelled the biggest puncher in Ireland to claim derby victory, predicting that he will take over after two rounds.

The pair, who are ready to upgrade from trading verbal blows to blows of a more damaging nature, had been due to clash on the Carl Frampton v Nonito Donaire bill in April only for Sutcliffe Jr to suffer a knee injury – with McKenna subsequently beating Anto Upton.

This time, ‘The Mighty Celt’ is determined to finally confirm his status as the best 140lb fighter in the land.

“I think I’ll stop him,” said McKenna.

“I believe in my ability and everything we do training-wise. He’ll give a good go the first two rounds but the way he fights suits me down to the ground.

“Phil likes to think he’s the best in the country. He’s voiced that over and over again. I feel the same about myself and that’s what has the people so excited about this fight.”

In the press conference to officially announce the fight ‘Succo’ tried to play down his rival’s two Dublin wins, claiming that breaking the duck eggs of Jake Hanney and Sean Creagh was nothing to get too excited about.

It has added to the capital of Ireland versus the capital of Irish boxing derby narrative and McKenna fueled the Belfast Dublin fire further by stressing he is going to ensure another great night for his hometown.

“There’s always been a rivalry between Belfast and Dublin and there’s always going to be. It went on between us in the amateur days and now it’s carried on into the professional ranks.”

“Belfast would have been boxing in the finals. This is a great boxing city and I’m going to add another chapter to its story on June 30th. Watch me.”

A mouth-watering undercard to Conlan’s clash with Adeilson Dos Santos also features an all-Dublin rematch between world-ranked super-featherweight Jono Carroll and Declan Geraghty plus Tyrone McCullagh v Joe Ham for the BBBoC Celtic super bantamweight title, Johnny Coyle v Lewis Benson, and Paddy Gallagher v Gary Corcoran.