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Jake Hanney reveals behind-the-scenes whispers of Victor Rabei withdrawal


Jake Hanney [5(4)-1(1)] has claimed that there is substance to trainer Eddie Hyland’s recent comments which have caused a stir within Irish boxing.

The Dublin coach, who has reinvigorated Hanney, outlined his worry that Victor Rabei would pull out of the pair’s BUI Celtic light welterweight title fight next Saturday [March 30th].

READ: Hyland fears Rabei withdrawal

READ: “Gobsmacked” Rabei responds to Hyland

Undefeated champion Rabei [6(2)-0] responded with incredulity but Hanney has revealed that there has been plenty of talk behind the scenes.

“There’s been a lot of back and forwards that people don’t know about,” the East Wall man told Irish-Boxing.com.

“Since this fight has been made there’s been ‘the fight’s off, he doesn’t want it’, ‘it’s too risky’, this and that, mind games.”

“We’re just hoping that he turns up and I still think he might pull out.”

The eight-round contest will be the chief support bout on the TG4-televised ‘Clash of the Titans’ bill at the National Stadium.

Hanney is hoping for a war but doesn’t think that this will transpire in the Olympic-sized National Stadium ring.

Instead the 29-year-old predicts a gradual beatdown and an eventual stoppage of his Rathmichael opponent.

“He’s giving a lot of mouth on social media, I just hope he backs it up because I think he’s going to be like the Road Runner,” reasoned Hanney.

“On Instagram he’s giving it the big’un, that he’s going to stand with me, he’s going to stop me.”

“Look, he couldn’t stop the clock. I’m going to knock him clean out, that’s the facts.”

Outlining how he sees the bout going, ‘The Wizard’ promised that “I’m going to beat him at his own game, break his heart.”

“I’m too big, too strong, and I’m a better boxer all day long.”

“I’m going to just box nice, then hurt him, and stop him late.”

“He’s been sparking smaller men, I’m yet to see him in with a bigger man. I’d say he’ll go down to lightweight when I’m finished with him. He’s boxing bums and he is a bum, to me.”

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

Tickets for ‘Clash of the Titans’ cost €40 (general), €60 (ringside), and €100 (VIP) and are available from the boxers involved or Ticketmaster (CLICK HERE).

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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