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‘You best believe it’s on’ – Foley predicts war with fellow warrior McKenna

Darragh Foley [17(9)-3(0)] believes both he and Tyrone McKenna [18(6)-1(0)] are the kind of fighters that could receipt the warriors code from start to finish and by heart.

The two battlers meet in what the Australian based Blanchardstown native has promised will the ‘greatest Dublin v Belfast derby ever’ at the Ulster Hall on June 21.

Although ‘Mighty Celt’, McKenna has been in some entertaining wars of late there have been suggestions the Belfast v Dublin fight veteran has been working on using his physical attributes and skills levels to get the job done of late.

However, ‘Super’ remains sure the six foot plus southpaw is cut from the same cloth as him and is predicting a fan friendly blood and guts battle when the pair meet in the ring for an ESPN+ and IFL TV broadcast bill topper.

“As a fighter, I know he’s a warrior. I’ve watched him and he puts it all on the line. I respect that because it’s very similar to myself,” said the entertaining operator.

“Taking backward steps is in neither of our DNA so when we meet in his back yard, you best believe it’s on.”

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Whilst both have been involved in entertaining bouts in recent years both also provide value for money in the build up.

June 21 will see the meeting of two real characters and two of Ireland’s greatest talkers, meaning the days and weeks proceeding the bout may provide some verbal sparring of pound for pound quality.

Foley claims he has no reason to bad mouth his fellow MTK operator, but does expect to have to fight his corner before the bell rings.

“As a man, I’ve only ever bumped into once and it was at one of my fights in Scotland. He seems like a decent bloke and a bit of a character. I may even buy him a pint afterwards to console him after I beat him!

“I don’t go crazy and talk shit for no reason and he seems like a man I could get along with. Everyone says we’re two peas in a pod.

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“I know it’s going to be fun during this build-up but I can’t promise any tables getting flipped and anyway, it’s not about the build-up – it’s about the fight.”

Joining Foley and McKenna on the bill is another title fight in the WBO European ranking light-heavyweight clash between former sparring partners Steven Ward and Liam Conroy, plus two potential crackers in Paddy Gallagher vs. Liam Wells and Gary Cully vs. Renald Garrido.

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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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