Tyrone McKenna warns Jack Catterall that he has made a big mistake ahead of Belfast battle

If Tyrone McKenna does defeat the world title-chasing Jack Catterall this Saturday, the English starlet can’t say he wasn’t warned.

Belfast light welter McKenna has stated numerous times that he feels he is being overlooked by replacement Catterall and predicts that the Jamie Moore-trained fighter is in for a major surprise come fight night at the SSE Odyssey Arena in the chief support bout on the Mick Conlan Homecoming card.

McKenna [16(6)-0-1] was due to face Dublin’s Phil Sutcliffe Jr in a refixed rematch on the Belfast bill – before Sutcliffe was forced to pull out again following an accident.

On just four weeks notice, Catterall answered the call and has stepped in to face ‘The Mighty Celt’, putting his WBO Inter-Continental and #5 ranking on the line in a bout which he is heavily favoured to win.

Indeed, ‘El Gato’ Catterall [21(12)-0] believes that Lenadoon’s McKenna is only the third best opponent he will have faced during his pro career.

McKenna feels this is a mistake and notes how “he said I wasn’t his toughest test and he can believe what he wants to believe. He’ll be unpleasantly surprised.”

“I know it’s a tough fight for me but I don’t think he knows how tough it’s going to be for him. We’ll see on the night.”

“Taking me at four weeks’ notice isn’t a smart move by him. He’s not faced a tall southpaw like me. I’m not a standard fight.”

Catterall comes into the bout six weeks on from his facile one-round win over Christopher Sebire in Leeds.

Now facing one of Warren’s major names, McKenna has gone from the A-side of the bout to the B-side but sees Saturday night as his big opportunity.

It’s a big stage for the former child actor and ‘The Mighty Celt’ has promised to rise to the occassion live on BT Sport and BoxNation.

McKenna outlined how “I’m well supported in Belfast and it’ll be electric on the night. All Michael Conlan’s fans are my fans too because I’m good friends with him. Everyone will be behind me and it’s going to be very, very loud.”

“This is it for me. This fight will make me a star. I’ll show everyone in the UK and Ireland just how good Tyrone McKenna is. It’s a stage I’ve wanted for years and I’m going to shine.”

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