Ice-Cold Keane McMahon aiming to hurt opponent and steal the show

This website talks to a lot of Irish fighters coming up through the ranks, and every so often there is one with something different.

Call it an aura, a star quality, a glint in the eye, whatever, but Dublin welterweight Keane McMahon [1(0)-0] certainly has that special something.

‘The Iceman’ is a slick and rangey fighter with a bit of spite and a winning mentality.

One of the stand-out performers on the ‘Celtic Clash 2: The Rising’ card, where he made his debut, McMahon subsequently secured a contract with Boxing Ireland Promotions and this weekend features on the ‘Celtic Clash 3: Building Champions’ bill at the National Stadium.

Here the 23 year old will be aiming to steal the show.

The five-time Irish underage champion outpointed Lukasz Kuc back in May and McMahon is eager to give an improved showing this weekend.

The Smithfield puncher told Irish-Boxing.com that “I’d rate my first performance as a ‘D’. I didn’t even go up through the gears. I was too comfortable.”

“I’m critical of myself, big time, and so is my team, and they have to be, I want people who tell it to me like it is.”

“I believe I’m one of the best in Ireland so obviously I’m going to be critical of myself. I believe I’m going to be Irish champion, Celtic champion, and progress onto bigger things, European and World titles.”

Looking back on his win over Kuc, McMahon noted that “he was tough, and there was the weight thing, he was basically a super middleweight, let’s be realistic. He came in 76kg.”

“I could have pushed for the knockout a bit more because I had him hurt, but I suppose it was the first fight and you just want to get the rounds in.”

On Saturday he faces notably game journeyman Radoslav Mitev, a refreshing early test for an under-the-radar prospect.

McMahon described how “I’ve seen clips of him, he’s tough, he’s game-ball, but I don’t think he’s going to be technically there with me and I’m going to finish him.”

“I’m going to go out there and hurt this fella. I’m going to go for the finish. I’m going to do a number on him.”

While the card is headlined by a BUI Celtic featherweight title fight between Kildare’s Eric Donovan and Welsh champion Dai Davies, the ambitious McMahon is keen to steal the show.

“Absolutely,” he stated. “That’s my goal all the time, I want people to be talking about Keane McMahon.”

“I respect all the other lads, but I don’t care, I want to go in there, do the job, and have people talking about me.”

McMahon is sponsored by David Murphy’s Dublin Plumbing and Gas – who are also the main sponsor of Celtic Clash 3.

Headlined by the Eric Donovan v Dai Davies BUI Celtic featherweight title fight, the ‘Celtic Clash 3: Building Champions’ card also features Regan Buckley v Carl McDonald, Gerard Whitehouse, James Cahill, Stephen McAfee, Martin Quinn, Aiden Metcalfe, Dylan McDonagh, Colin O’Donovan, Chris Mullally, Michael Gallagher, Keane McMahon, Niall O’Connor, John Joyce and Bernard Roe.

Tickets for the show cost €30 (Balcony), €40 (Gallery), €60 (Ringside), €100 (VIP Premium), and €15 (Under-15s gallery – must be bought alongside an adult ticket) and are available to buy from Keane at 085 7414 788 or online at Ticketmaster.ie.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)