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Introducing: Michael Hennessy Junior


Tonight in Manchester sees the debut of young Michael Hennessy.

The 19-year-old makes his bow on the Hughie Fury v Chris Norrard undercard at the Victoria Warehouse – live on Channel 5 – and believes it will be the start of a title-filled and successful career.

Born in England but forged in Ireland, Hennessy boxed out of the St Monica’s Club in Newry and has family links to Dublin, Ballymena, and Wexford.

The son of promoter Mick Hennessy boxed in the Irish Elite Senior Championships last year and has plenty of amateur honours but the pro game was always going to come calling sooner rather than later considering both his fighting style and his influential father.

The rangy teenager explained how “I’ve got a very exciting, TV friendly style. I love to fight and, in future, when I need to, the public will enjoy seeing me go toe-to-toe.  Once people see me in action they’ll begin to realise I’ve served a very hard apprenticeship and I belong at this level.” 

“Boxing’s my life,’ states bright boy Michael, who attained five A Stars and five A grades at GCSE level whilst also competing at the highest level of amateur boxing. ”

“I’ve been attending my dad’s shows since I was as young as four or five. Dad’s biggest stars from fighters, to trainers to managers and promoters, were always around. During my teens, Dad paid me to work part-time in his office, where I got a behind the scenes look of how the game really works! I’ve been surrounded by the fight game my whole life.”

Detailing his amateur background, Hennessy outlined how “I had well over 100 amateur bouts but at least 60% were in Ireland where my dad’s family are from. I must have won well over three quarters.”

“As an amateur, I won multiple Box Cups, and multiple London, Ulster, Antrim and Nine Counties titles.  Having got to the semi-finals and finals of a few different prestigious national tournaments, I believe that if there was fair play involved, I would also have national titles on my record.”

“But, truthfully, as an amateur, it was always just about learning and gathering experience to succeed later in the pros.”

A long 6’1″ boxer but one that likes to fight inside, Hennessy is promising entertainment from the start and believes he will adapt instantaneously.

Describing his style, the baby-faced fighter noted how “most of the other amateurs boxed pretty much the same, darting in and out, picking points but, from day dot, I had a pro style that distinguished me, set me apart.”

“I’ve been moving around with pros and doing the long rounds, from a young age. I won’t need to make many adjustments for the pros”

“Despite being tall and slim, I like to work inside, I love the body shots and working up close.  Lee Wilkins, trainer and owner of Body Shots gym nicknamed me ‘Miguel Hernandez’ at 14 due to my initials and because I fought like a Mexican. It caught on with all the lads and the nickname Miguel seems to have stuck.”

Hennessy won’t be held back or mollycoddled and will debut over six rounds against game Pole Adam Grabiec.

“I’m not at all nervous about this; just relaxed and excited” he claims.

‘I’m going straight into six-threes. Four-threes would be too similar to an amateur fight.”

“I’m looking to put on a spectacular performance and, hopefully get, a kayo victory. It’s going to be the start of an epic journey to the top!”

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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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