“I’ll break his heart” – Jay Byrne promising war ahead of Scottish away day

If Paul Kean isn’t ready for an ‘absolute war’ this weekend, Jay Byrne will become the first ever two-weight BUI Celtic champion with relative ease suggests the Dublin fighter.

‘The Negotiator’ heads to Glasgow and faces the undefeated Scot in a vacant light middleweight title fight on Friday night.

Considering Byrne [7(2)-4(1)] got the call on late notice, there is an element of ‘opponent’ about his role in proceedings but the promoter, manager, fighter and indeed champion is always content to be an underdog with sharp teeth.

The 31-year-old has gone on the road and lost three times previously but has warned Kean not to look too much into his defeats to Matchroom starlets Josh Kelly, Anthony Fowler, and Felix Cash.

The BUI welterweight champ and recent Irish title challenger is fired up and determined to claim a second career title.

Indeed, Byrne predicts there won’t be a minutes rest for the 25-year-old Dundee southpaw and the JB Promotions boss is also confident he will walk through Kean and inflict serious damage in their title fight.

“I won’t make a prediction but if he thinks he can dance around a small ring for eight rounds with his hands down and not be caught flush, then he be taking an early bath,” Byrne told Irish-Boxing.com.

“He won’t be hurting me and running for eight rounds. I’ll break his heart – remember, I don’t stop and I won’t stop I’m coming to win like I always do and if this Paul Kean ain’t ready for an absolute war he’s done early.”

Friday provides Byrne, who promotes his first show on July 7th, with a chance to make his own small bit of history. The former footballer can become the first ever two-weight BUI Celtic champion. However, Kean can also become the first non-Irish fighter to strap the belt around his waist – although the Dubliner assures that won’t be happening.

“In my last fight in Belfast showed that I have improved and the Celtic title fight win vs Gerard [Whitehouse] also showed I can box and I can punch. I’m winning this fight I’ll be too much and have too much experience and he’s another with no punch so he won’t be hurting me that’s for sure.”

“I think I would become the first double Celtic BUI champion alright and you can bet your dollar I’m keeping this belt in Ireland.”

The Loughlinstown fighter, who has proved a massive addition to the game in Ireland with his desire to fight and his work outside the ring, is the first Irish fighter to challenge for a BUI Celtic title outside of Ireland – and he deems that point fitting with his career to date.

Byrne believes he has done things the hard way but is adamant he has done things right and, as a result, will claim the light middleweight version of the strap this weekend.

“I can tell you this I’m most definitely the one who has had the hardest opponents to get ([the BUI Celtic titles]. Ger [Whitehouse] was 7-0 and this lad is 7-0 also. It’s my sixth unbeaten opponent in a two year career.”

“I was chasing the Irish title at welter and couldn’t get it and I gave up on it so said I’ll go again at light middle and this has came at a time where I was looking for it and I am ready to win another belt.”

Byrne-Kean headlines the card at the Crowne Plaza Hotel which also features a four-round middleweight clash between Sligo-Manc Jordan Latimer and Cork-South African Jade Karam.