Nineteenth of March in Dubai, on the Foster vs. Yaqubov & Edwards vs. Waseem undercard. WBO intercontinental super lightweight title at stake, 1st defense of McKenna. This will effectively be a return into the 140lbs fold for the Cajun-Creole, who in his last two contests failed to make the limit (essentially facing Ivan Redkach last time out at welter, both coming in a few pounds over). He last made weight in his 2019 loss to Josh Taylor. The incumbent has faced respectable competition thus far but is taking an unquestionable step up in class here. Both of his losses - against countrymen Ohara "2-Tanks" Davies and Jack "El Gato" Catterall - were close, and in fact many felt he was robbed versus Davies...but on the other hand, McKenna very arguably received gifts over Mohammed "The Problem" Mimoune and Rénald "Lion's Heart" Garrido. Mimoune and Catterall are both southpaws, like Prograis - but inferior ones.
Two major disadvantages for McKenna: He is facing a deficit in power and skill, especially the former. He is bringing a peashooter to a gunfight, basically. He doesn't have the best track record with southpaws. He does have a couple of things going for him: The man is certifiably tough. He boasts a 5 inch height advantage over Prograis. He stands at 6'1", three inches more than Josh Taylor and 2½″ more than Julius Indongo, the previous tallest opponents Prograis has faced.
What do you mean, these? Last time he and Redkach headlined a Triller PPV, and before that he fought on the Tank vs. LSC undercard on Showtime PPV, and before that was the big TTT showdown. One tune-up in Dubai to snatch a minor belt from a guy ranked #11 in the world by the WBO & WBA isn't too concerning unless this becomes a pattern.
I'm not sure it should be called a height advantage, Prograis has a good style for a shorter guy. It's why I'm excited for him at WW. What you're saying makes sense, however I'm also concerned his potential exceeds his ambition (or maybe he feels trapped behind TTT). It's just a vibe he's been giving off, like he's heading down the Michael Hunter road.
I brought it up mainly because, while not so much with Indongo, he did have a hard time with the second tallest guy he boxed. Obviously, that said, nobody's under any illusions that McKenna is a quarter the fighter Taylor is. But it does mean Regis will have to lunge up for head shots...although 1) he's a perfectly adroit body puncher and content to focus his attack down there and 2) even the basic & stiff Davies was able to reach McKenna's chin a fair amount. I want that rematch with Taylor for him, but he might need to be "ready" first. Psyche himself up for a couple of years dominating B to B+ sorts, and go into the rematch with the confidence of a fire-breathing dragon to make the difference. But yeah, I get what you're seeing, could swing either way.
To be on the undercard of this and not main eventing isn't exactly great he's one of the best light welters around he should be headlining these type of events
How appropriate. Jack Catterall and Tyrone McKenna fought on very even terms, with Jack shading it by a wee little brittle pubic hair. And now they both have the distinguished honor of being by smashed to absolute ****ing bits by Josh Taylor and Regis Prograis, who fought on near even terms, with Josh Taylor shading it by a strong thick moustache whisker. With the winner smashing the winner and the loser smashing the loser. The only pity is that it isn't on the same card.
Graphical representation: ______________ TTT _____________ Rougarou ____ Catterall ___ McKenna The Mighty Celt had better hope some insane fluke doesn't happen whereby Prograis rolls his ankle or something, giving McKenna the injury TKO victory and vaulting him closer to his own shellacking at the hands of Taylor (he's already his 11th-in-line contender in two different orgs and "beating" Prograis on paper would have to nudge him way up in a hurry). Because he and Catterall are just about skirting the reasonable limits of unsanctionable mismatches in their upcoming bouts. Taylor vs. McKenna would be a toke over the line.
Regis will be too good and too classy for Tyrone Tyrone is very tough and huge for the weight but he doesn’t box and use his reach, he always gets in a tear up One of the reasons he’s so good to watch but will also be his downfall in this fight