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Tyrone McCullagh targets big win over face tattoo “muppet” Josh Kennedy


A man who has ‘I love The Saturdays’ tattooed on his arse, Tyrone McCullagh knows all about questionable tattoos but ‘White Chocolate’ thinks his upcoming opponent has gone a step too far.

The BBBoC Celtic super bantamweight champion faces English titleholder Josh Kennedy on the BoxNation ‘Danger on the Docks’ card at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast on Friday October 5th.

Kennedy [11(5)-0] is heavily inked and, in addition to a covered body, has ‘unique’ emblazoned on his forehead along with a lightning bolt and an anchor on his cheeks.

Pop music lover McCullagh [11(6)-0] poked fun at his upcoming opponent and notes how “those face tattoos of his simply provide me with targets to aim for.

“I don’t know the guy and I don’t even follow him on social media so I’m not going to start any fake ‘beef’ but my mates have sent me screenshots of his posts. Let’s face it – he’s a muppet.”

“Despite his tattoos and fashion sense, I’ve nothing against him really and he’s another step up for me having been English champion.”

While a curious character, 27-year-old Kennedy does have pedigree having solid wins over Michael Ramabeletsa, Jamie Speight, and Bobby Jenkinson.

Derry’s McCullagh, himself coming off the back of a career-best win over Joe Ham, isn’t underestimating the Englishman.

The Foylesider described how “I’ve seen a few clips of him on YouTube but I tend to focus on myself rather than on my opponent. I know he had a split decision win over Michael Ramabaletsa, who’s not got a great record but it’s slightly misleading because he took [Commonwealth featherweight champion] Ryan Doyle very close.”

“The bottom line is that Kennedy is an undefeated fighter like myself but I don’t believe that he’s been in with the same calibre of opponent as I have up to this point.”

Following the breakdown of David Price v Sean Turner and Marco McCullough v Declan Geraghty, McCullagh and Kennedy’s WBO European title clash has become the headline fight on the card.

The European bronze medallist is keen to make a big impression in what will be his second televised fight and is aiming to gatecrash the WBO ladder currently topped by champion Isaac Dogboe.

28-year-old McCullagh explained how “it’s nights like this that inspired me to start boxing in the first place. It’s been a long, hard road but finally I’m reaping the rewards.”

“When I beat Kennedy, I’ll be knocking at the door of the top 10 in the world.”

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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