Keane McMahon out to prove he is Ireland’s best welterweight prospect

Keane McMahon [3(0)-0] is confident he will prove he is the best welterweight prospect in Ireland by the time 2018 is out.

‘The Iceman’ gets the step up he craves on the Celtic Clash 6 card – recently moved to July 14th – in terms of rounds and opposition.

The 23-year-old fights over six rounds for the first time and will trade leather with Cork’s South African Jade Karam on the Tony Davitt and Boxing Ireland card.

The inner-city Dub was due to fight the same foe on the initial June 16th date but a minor niggle saw him forced off the card and – along with injuries to Eric Donovan and Carl McDonald – contributed to the postponement.

Now back on the card and back in a step-up, the Smithfield stylist wants to make a statement.

McMahon believes the six-round format will suit him, is confident of victory, and believes a win will move him a step closer to a shot at the BUI Celtic title which is currently held by Jay Byrne.

“I believe I’m better than all of [the Irish welterweights]. I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t. A Celtic title at the end of the year is the aim,” he told Irish-Boxing.com before stressing he is open to any domestic dalliance. 

“I would fight anybody at welterweight. Jay is a cool bloke lot of time for him but I honestly feel I beat them all at welterweight including him.”

With just three fights under his belt, the Dave Murphy-managed fighter has time on his hands. However, he is keen to get his name out there and believes a win over Karam can only help in that regard.

“I think those in the know are aware I am one of the top boys in the weight. I haven’t been really tested as of yet and every time I get a step up I get better,” he added before stressing he is delighted to be making a step-up this coming summer.  

“I’m looking forward to the step up in rounds. I think it will suit me i start slow usually and begin to find my groove after. It is a nice step up in opposition too. Jade is a game lad but I am more than capable of producing the goods and excelling beyond this.”

Karam was stopped early against big punching Rohan Daté but has impressed in the away corner on a number of occasions, not least when he took middleweight Alfredo Meli six rounds.

Indeed, just this weekend he finished strong versus Sligo middleweight Jordan Latimer, losing a close 39-37 decision which his team felt could have been a draw.

McMahon is aware he isn’t in against knockover journeyman opposition but still feels he has enough to win and plans to do so in a stand-out fashion that will put him top of a list of Irish welterweight prospects that also includes Dylan Moran and John Joyce.

“Jade is tough as nails and as game as they come but boxing is about levels and I believe I am the better fighter everywhere. With that being said, I have respect for him and taking him very seriously.”

“I will be tidy and slick as always. A convincing win is the goal and what I will be expecting.”