IRISH boxing will resume hostilities with the Eubank family on March 7 when Tyrone McKenna travels to Brighton to fight Harlem Eubank, live on Channel 5.
Before satellite subscriptions ushered boxing into a niche market, Chris Eubank senior (Harlem’s fearless father) was a mainstream, box office star on free-to-air TV in the 1990s.
‘Simply the Best’ fought fierce battles with Nigel Benn and Michael Watson and crossed the Irish Sea twice for a pair of famous duels with Steve Collins in 1995. The first was at Millstreet in County Cork (both fighters had to get off the canvas) and the rematch took place at Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Dubliner Collins won both on points.
Belfast’s Ray Close also faced Eubank twice. He held the eloquent Englishman to a draw in Glasgow in 1990 and Eubank travelled to a packed Kings Hall for the rematch and won the WBO super-middleweight title on split decision.
Almost 30 years’ on from the blood and guts of those nights, warrior McKenna (24-5-1) will face Chris Eubank’s son Harlem (20-0) in the next chapter of an intriguing rivalry.
“Tyrone has been chasing a big name for the last while and he has been in non-stop entertaining fights,” said McKenna’s manager Jamie Conlan.
“He lost to Mohammad Mimoune and I don’t think people understood how tough that fight was. He had to go back and rebuild after that loss and went down to Waterford as the away fighter against Dylan Moran. He relished being in that position because he didn’t have to sell tickets and it wasn’t all about him, it was all about Dylan Moran. That brought out the best in what Tyrone was able to do.”
Somewhat over-shadowed by his elder brother Chris junior, Harlem Eubank has moved steadily through the ranks and, aged 30, is keen to kick on to world title level.
McKenna says he’s licking his lips at the prospect of going into Eubank’s hometown on March 7. He want to meet him in the middle of the ring and go to war.
“Harlem has never met anyone like me in his career, not even close, and when the leather starts flying, he will soon realise there’s no easy way out,” he warned.
“I am one of the most entertaining fighters in Ireland, I have the heart of a lion, one of the best chins around and I am an absolute nightmare for Eubank.
“Everyone could see from my last fight, that I am still incredibly dangerous, so make sure you don’t miss it because Eubank is in deep trouble.”
His opponent Eubank added: “Last time I fought in Brighton, we made history. The fans showed up in force, and I delivered a statement performance.
“This year, I want the big fights, and I’m going to make a real statement at 147lbs.
“McKenna is a fan friendly, aggressive fighter who’s competed at the elite world level. It’s a real exciting fight, and that’s exactly what I’m in this game for.
“There’s also a rich history between the Eubanks and Irish fighters. On March 7, I’ll add a new chapter.”
Jamie Conlan is predicting an intriguing clash of styles between the boxer Eubank on his home turf against proven warrior McKenna who reignited his career by going to Dylan Moran’s backyard and knocking out the local favourite.
“Harlem has been chasing another big domestic name and Tyrone is the perfect match for him,” said Conlan.
“Harlem needs a name like Tyrone for his credibility and to build his career and Tyrone sees Harlem as a massive scalp to get him where he wants to go because it’s big names only for Tyrone and it always has been.
“This is a massive opportunity for both fighters because Harlem Eubank is statistically the most watched fighter in the UK and Tyrone McKenna is the most entertaining fighter in Ireland. It’s a match made in heaven for the viewers.
“Harlem has fantastic skill and boxing ability but Tyrone has got that dogged, neversaydie, non-stop aggression so it’s a really exciting clash of styles.”
PODY McCrory is preparing for a battle with Newry-born, Australia-based super-middleweight Conor Wallace.
Now ranked number two (IBF), five (WBC) and six (WBO) Wallace bounced back from a surprise defeat in 2021 by stopping six of his last eight opponents. The clash with McCrory, who returned to winning ways late last year after a loss to Edgar Berlanga in Orlando, could take place at the SSE Arena on March 1 on the undercard of Paddy Donovan versus Lewis Crocker.
However, there is speculation that it will be in Wallace’s adopted Australia later in March. Either way, McCrory and his team are committed to the fight with the highly-ranked county Down native.
Elsewhere, Pierce O’Leary could return to action in his native Dublin on April 12 at National Stadium.
TYSON Fury announced his retirement from boxing with a cryptic broadside: “Dick Turpin wore a mask”.
It seems that the former lineal heavyweight champion of the world is unhappy at the purse he has been offered to fight long-term British rival Anthony Joshua this year and has taken the decision to bow out.
“I’d like to announce my retirement from boxing,” said Fury on a social media post.
“It’s been a blast, I’ve loved every single minute of it and I’m going to end with this: Dick Turpin wore a mask.
“God bless everybody, see you on the other side.”
In his amateur days Fury researched his family roots in an effort to qualify to box for Ireland at the Olympic Games. That proved unsuccessful but he beat Belfast’s Martin Rogan to win the Irish heavyweight title back in 2012 and has described himself as having “Irish blood and a British heart”.
He has threatened to hang up his gloves in the past but returned to the sport he loves.
After beating Wladimir Klitschko to win the IBF, IBO and WBO heavyweight titles in 2015 Fury spent three years out of boxing as he wrestled with addiction and mental health issues.
He returned in 2018 and regained the world title by knocking out three-time opponent Deontay Wilder in Las Vegas in 2020.
Two years later, ‘The Gypsy King’ insisted he was finished after he knocked out British rival Dillian Whyte at Wembley Stadium.
“I am done,” he said.
“Every good dog has its day. Like the great Roman leader said: ‘There will always be someone else to fight’. When is enough, enough?
“I am happy, I am healthy. I still have my brains, I can talk, I have a beautiful wife, I have six kids, umpteen belts.
“I have plenty of money, success, fame, glory, what more am I doing it for? This is definitely the end of the Gypsy King and I went out with a bang.”
His most recent announcement comes after he lost his rematch against Oleksandr Usyk via unanimous decision in December. Fury was incensed with the decision – his second loss to the Ukrainian - but afterwards the 36-year-old made no mention of retiring.
On Monday, Eddie Hearn revealed he had booked out Wembley Stadium for Fury-Joshuia to take place in “May or June” but he added that the fight depended on whether Fury wanted to take it after the defeat by Usyk.
“We’re looking to get back in the ring in May or June. If it ended up being July, it doesn’t really matter,” Hearn said.
“I still think it rests on Tyson Fury.”
However, Hearn did speculate that Fury’s decision to retire was a bargaining tool to force promoters to pay him what he wants to fight Joshua.
“If I was looking for the right deal, I’d go into retirement too,” said Hearn.
“But I can’t speak on his behalf, that’s just what I would do. It’s a natural play, but maybe that is his lot but I don’t know, I don’t know him well enough to comment really.
“He’s the man to make his own decisions and like I said it’s not the kind of sport you want to play in if his heart is not in it anymore.
“And if his heart is not in it anymore, it’s the right decision for him. Hopefully it’s not the case and we get to see the AJ fight and if not, I wish him all the best.”
