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Introducing: ‘Dollar’ Declan Kenna


Declan Kenna seems to have more than just mixed martial arts and octagon experience in common with Conor McGregor.

The Tallaght super featherweight can talk the talk and is stirring things up even before he has stepped into the pro squared circle.

The 30-year-old, whose initial background in combat sports was in kickboxing before moving into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mixed martial arts, was recently announced as Boxing Ireland’s latest signing – and if he is to believed, the promotional company behind the Celtic Clash series have struck gold. 

Indeed, the successful semi-pro operator and MMA promoter claims 2019 will be known as the year of ‘The Dollar Dec’ and warned the fight fraternity he is not here to take part, but to take over.

“I took up the semi pro game and I tore it up in a couple of months, won two belts and got ranked #1. I plan on taking that same momentum into the pro game and taking over. This year is going to be my year,” he said before almost demanding big fights.

“I am not in here to pad out my record and look for little bum fights. I am in here to go to the top the quicker I go to the top the better.

“I am looking for the fights, the belts, the money. I want it all. Anyone 60-63kg that wants a bit of me you know where I am, I am signed to Boxing Ireland. This is my year, this is the of ‘The Dollar Dec’.”

While he would fight anyone there is one name Kenna wants more than most.

Fellow new Boxing Ireland signing Kelvin McDonald, who holds a semi-pro win over Kenna, seems to have gotten under the skin of the Drogheda-based fighter.

Licence providing, Kenna will debut on Celtic Clash 8 and new stablemate McDonald is no doubt it’s a fight Boxing Ireland will look to build.

“Kelvin had 100 fights and I had like four fights and I punched the lungs off him. He got the decision because it was up the North he won’t get the decision down the South and I don’t think he is going to stop me. I will make that fight happen I will sign that fight now if you want.”

While Kenna comes to the sport at 30 and with no amateur experience, he does know what it’s like to be in a fight considering his MMA background and comes to pro boxing with a ready made fanbase – something that his new team will appreciate.

“I have a lot of followers,” said the founder of the popular Cage Legacy series.

“I’d just like to thank everyone for the support. It’s been amazing the messages I have been getting everyone is really looking forward to my pro debut and I am looking forward to it myself I am going to put on a show,” he continued confidently before expressing his delight at signing with Boxing Ireland.

“I had a couple of offers from a couple of promoters and organisations, but I had a good think about it, thought about what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go with my career and this is the path I have chosen. I am happy to be with Ste and Len and the team.”

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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