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Keane McMahon eyes Dylan Moran headline title fight


Keane McMahon [5(2)-0] v Dylan Moran [7(5)-0] is THE welterweight fight in Ireland claims ‘The Iceman’ himself.

Over the last 12 months the domestic 147lbs division has become one of the more populated weights in Ireland and a class that promises to provide some classic match ups.

With the likes of BUI Celtic champion Jay Byrne, unbeaten John Joyce, big punching Rohan Daté, rising stars Lewis Crocker and Aaron McKenna, as well as McMahon and Moran and more – there are a host of competitive domestic dust ups to be made.

However, McMahon, who extended his unbeaten start to pro life with victory on Celtic Clash 7 last Saturday night, believes a fight between himself and Waterford’s Moran is the one the everyone wants to see.

The Dave Murphy-managed 24-year-old also suggests Moran, who fights live on TG4 in Mayo on December 7th and was ringside to watch the Dubliner record a second stoppage win, is the only one of his welter rivals willing to take the fight.

“Like I have said I would fight any welter and beat them,” the inner-city Dub told Irish-Boxing.com following his latest win over Serguey Stefanov.

“I am ready to jump into an eight-round title fight now, whoever wants to fight – they all seem to say they want to fight, but when the offer is made they are not talking the fights,” continued McMahon before singling out ‘The Real Deal’.

“I reckon me and Dylan Moran would sell out the National Stadium. We boxed in the amateurs, I beat him in a national final in the amateurs, that is the fight to make for the Irish title.”

“Joyce doesn’t want it and none of the rest of them do, so, me and Dylan Moran,” he added before suggesting that the new Assassin Promotions fighter would need to come fight on a Celtic Clash card.

“He can come to us, we can bring the belt, we are the draw here, I think so anyways.”

Moran hasn’t been call out keen since he has turned over but the respectful fighter, who was named dropped by former club mate Rohan Daté before McMahon, has always claimed he is eager to box for domestic titles.

Jay Byrne is another who hasn’t been shy about expressing his Irish title desire and McMahon claims ‘The Negotiator’ can get if he wants – but indicated that his fellow Dub may vacate the BUI Celtic belt to allow him to fight for it, gain Irish title eligibility, and facilitate a fight between the pair for the national belt.

“I’d fight Byrne now,” McMahon continued, “but we could do that for the Irish title.”

“Look, everytime Irish-boxing.com talk to me I tell you I’d fight any of them and beat any of them. I believe I am the best welterweight in Ireland.”

“I know I’m the best. I’ve been the best welterweight in Ireland since I turned pro

The Smithfield stylist was speaking after registering a second successive stoppage win, needing just seconds to dispatch his Bulgarian foe.

McMahon was meant to challenge for the Celtic title on a bumper card but the passing of his beloved nanny during camp saw his fight plans dialled back.

Another win on the board, McMahon described how “I felt brilliant, we were going to stop him. I wasn’t hanging around for four rounds.”

“It wasn’t going four rounds. The way it was we had trained for eight rounds so we knew we could stick a pace on him, obviously with my Nanny and all I was about two weeks out of training, so we got it at a heavier weight.”

“I just went out and tried to hurt him it was just about getting another win on the record.”

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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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