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Keane McMahon would answer Rohan Daté’s fight call


Keane McMahon [4(1)-0] claims he would agree to a fight with Rohan Daté in less time than it would take for his heart to register a beat.

Waterford’s Daté [6(5)-0-1] has been making some noise with impressive stoppage wins since turning over in the UAE in 2016 and has cranked up the volume by becoming the most vocal of the early-stage welters in recent weeks.

After name dropping Dylan Moran and a possible stadium fight after an impressive stoppage win over Innocent Anyanwu, the London-based fighter claimed four Irish 147lb fighters elected against fighting him for the Irish title.

READ: Rohan Daté reveals he has been turned down by four Irish fighters.

McMahon, who fights on the Celtic Clash 7 bill this weekend, isn’t as of yet eligible to challenge for the green strap as he has yet to compete in a scheduled eight round contest, but is adamant he is ready for Daté or any domestic welter that wants to get it on.

“I havent a clue what Rohan is talking about,” McMahon told Irish-Boxing.com.

“He’s a talented lad and a big puncher but we certainly never ever received an offer to fight him, that’s a fight I’d take in a heart beat.”

“Anybody who knows me knows I’d fight any welterweight in Ireland no problem and be confident of beating them all,” added a fighter who has previously stated his belief that he would outbox Lewis Crocker.

There are a host of welters progressing toward domestic title fights, making it one of the most exciting Irish divisions at present. The likes of McMahon, John Joyce, BUI Celtic champ Jay Byrne, Martin Wall, Tony Nellins Daté and Moran have been linked by the public, while you have names like Crocker and Aaron McKenna who might also be interested in domestic dust-ups.

Some argue it’s a division worthy of a World Boxing Super Series-style tournament and McMahon believes 2019 is the year the fights should be made.

“I think it’s time to make the all-Irish fights now,” stated the inner-city Dub who boxes in his fifth professional contest this Saturday night on the ‘Celtic Clash 7’ card at Good Counsel GAA Club in Drimnagh.

“It’s no secret I’ve called out for these fights before with Joyce etc but it is what it is.”

“They’re on their journey and I am on mine. I would love to be involved in the domestic dust-ups. It puts bums on seats,” he added before stressing he wants the domestic straps on offer in 2019.

A fight with Byrne looked to have been in the works but nothing definitive is set.

McMahon is keen to win a belt regardless and outlined how “most certainly the plan for 2019 is to win Celtic and Irish titles and defend them so there’s no questions asked!”

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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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