Headline NewsOpponent Watch

Lewis Benson bites back as Tyrone McKenna fight build-up turns bitter


Lewis Benson [10(2)-1(0)] has rubbished Tyrone McKenna [16(6)-1(0)-1] doubting his fighting spirit and claims he’s already outclassed his towering Belfast visitor in more ways than wing.

‘Kid Caramel’ plays host to ‘The Mighty Celt’ at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena next Friday night [November 30th] with both men looking to bounce back from their sole career defeats in an intriguing light welterweight collision.

The verbal warfare ignited almost as soon as the match-up was announced and with the talk getting tougher on the Irish side, the Scot has fired back.

McKenna has questioned Benson’s heart, claimed he is the more skillful fighter, and even suggested that he will win the fan battle next Friday and his upcoming opponent has hit back.

Benson reasoned that “I really don’t know how he can question my heart. I had a bad eighth round in my last fight and I came back like a champion in the ninth.

“He’s talking about his ‘relentless’ style but I don’t even think it’s relentless. It’s just someone walking forward and throwing mad shots. I don’t think he’s relentless at all,” added the Edinburgh man before detailing his own qualities.

“I’m smarter than he is. He goes in for wars with people who are 5ft 7. He won’t have the chance to do that with me because I’m going to be moving and playing with him all night.”

“I’ve got faster hands than him. He’s had more stoppages than me but I’ve felt his strength and his power doesn’t bother me.”

“You can call this a crossroads fight. We’re both coming off our first loss and are both looking to bouncing back. I’m going to be the one bouncing back and using this as a springboard for big title fights.”

With the social media war with McKenna ongoing, Benson has also exchanged pleasantries with his rival’s close friends Paddy Barnes and Tyrone McCullagh – with it being suggested that a loss for the Scot will see him axed by their common managerial outfit.

Addressing these rather nasty back-and-forths, Benson described how “there’s been some good banter on social media with the likes of Paddy Barnes. Another one – who I don’t even know – is Tyrone McCullagh. I know he’s really good friends with McKenna but I can’t wait to wipe the smile off his face as well.”

“Paddy Barnes is Paddy Barnes. You have to take everything he has to say with a pinch of salt. He’s a good laugh. He’s an amazing gym-mate and I respect every one of them in that gym because they back each other.

“Nothing that Paddy, Tyrone or any of his other friends say will bother me. They’re just being there for their friend and Tyrone needs that because he knows what’s going to happen when we step in the ring.”

“I have no nerves. I’m looking forward to it more than anything. I’m going to shut him and his mates up with a great performance. He’s either daft or deluded thinking he can beat me.”

Benson also notes that McKenna’s delusion can be seen in his belief that he will be the fan favourite next Friday night.

‘Kid Caramel’ believes the Irishman has as much chance of winning over the Glasgow crowd as a panto villain has of getting the support of a hoard of booing kids.

Benson described how “he says he’s going to steal my fans but how likely is that? There’s one chance of that happening and that’s ‘no chance’.”

“My team supports me through everything and they’ll be there in their numbers. They’ll make some noise and Tyrone will know all about it,” he added before predicting a career best performance for his country.

“The support I receive is unbelievable. I’m just buzzing to get into Glasgow and put on the performance of a lifetime. Everyone wants one of their own to win and I’m sure I’m going to get a great win for Scotland.”

dpg

logo may

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

x