Introducing: Stephen McAfee
Stephen McAfee loves a challenge.
The Sallynoggin welterweight climbed to the top of the kickboxing world, was an accomplished amateur, and recently became the first Irish semi-pro champion.
Now he wants to take on the pros.
The Dubliner, trained by Jonathan Lewins, is hoping to debut during the Summer and believes he has the style for the switch.
McAfee spoke to Irish-Boxing.com and explained that “it was always in my mind to turn pro to see how far I can really go.”
“I want to test myself in the pro game. My style of fighting would be more suited to the pro game, which I have been told many of times, the longer rounds suit me too.”
“I’m an exciting all-action fighter that likes to come forward. I’ve had a few wars that the crowd do like, but I’m more than comfortable on the back foot.”
“I have power in both hands, as I’ve shown throughout my career so far. If I had to compare myself to a fighter style-wise, I’d say Saul Canelo Alvarez.”
Looking back on his long fight career, the 25 year old noted how “I’ve really achieved all that you can in kickboxing; WOMAA World title, WKA European title, ISKA world title, 5 nations, Irish title.”
“In boxing I won the Dublins, Leinsters, Dungarvan Celtic Box Cup, Monkstown Box Cup against the English ABA champion, and the Irish Semi-Pro welterweight title over eight two minute rounds.”
This semi pro fight in February saw McAfee take on Karl Kelly at Stradbrook Rugby Club, and the experience gave the Monkstown BC man the confirmation he needed that the pro game was him
“The semi pro game gave me a little taste for turning pro, getting to fight over eight rounds,” he said. “It’s was good to get that in as I felt stronger as the rounds went on and felt I could have done more rounds.”
“It was a good feeling before I actually took the step into the pro game. the amount of attention and publicity my fight got was crazy so that will only benefit me being able to deal with all that.”
Looking ahead, McAfee is promising entertainment, and the driven fighter hopes to pick up a title or two along the way.
He outlined how “I just want to get my first fight to get started and get my name out there. I want to be fighting on a regular basis keeping busy and improving myself.”
“I would like to fight for and win the Irish title. I just want to keep testing myself and see how far I can get.”
“One thing is for sure, I will be in exciting fights, people will get their money’s worth.”
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
