![Paddy Donovan [right] makes short work of Tyrone McKenna in Dublin, Ireland on September 5, 2026](/img/v1/1920?src=https%3A%2F%2Fphoto.boxingscene.com%2Fuploads%2FPaddyDonovanTyroneMcKenna.webp)
Michael Conlan predicts ‘absolute war’ between Tyrone McKenna and Dylan Moran
WATERFORD – “It’s going to be an absolute war,” said Michael Conlan, ahead of the all-Irish battle on Saturday night between the veteran Tyrone McKenna and Dylan Moran.
The fight is on ProBox TV – via YouTube and the app – and Conlan Boxing are promoting the show at the SETU Arena.
“It depends on Dylan Moran, and if he tries to box, but if he does what he says he’s going to do it’ll be a war for how long it lasts,” Conlan added.
McKenna, 23-5-1 (6 KOs), is more experienced, and Conlan recognised the local star Moran, 19-2 (9 KOS) “could be getting him at the right time”, but added that McKenna was back at 147lbs, where he would be stronger after spending time at 140lbs.
Inspired by his gymmate Anthony Cacace, the IBF junior-lightweight champion, McKenna believes he can still achieve his title dreams.
“It’s the first time I’ve spoken to Tyrone in a long time where he says, ‘I believe I can be a world champion’,” Conlan added.
The winner will still have plenty of work to do, but he will be a step closer to a significant opportunity.
“It’s one of the best weights but it is starting to simmer down ‘cause people are moving up and leaving the division, but still, there’s killers in that division left, right and center,” Conlan said. “Boots has a 147 belt, I wouldn’t put anyone in with Boots because he’s that good, but there are some people you could line up towards, maybe an eliminator-type match. [But] he [McKenna’s] got to get the job done, look good and try and get back up there.”
Tris Dixon covered his first amateur boxing fight in 1996. The former editor of Boxing News, he has written for a number of international publications and newspapers, including GQ and Men’s Health, and is a board member for the Ringside Charitable Trust and the Ring of Brotherhood. He has been a broadcaster for TNT Sports and hosts the popular “Boxing Life Stories” podcast. Dixon is a British Boxing Hall of Famer, an International Boxing Hall of Fame elector, a BWAA award winner, and is the author of five boxing books, including “Damage: The Untold Story of Brain Trauma in Boxing” (shortlisted for the William Hill Sportsbook of the Year), “Warrior: A Champion’s Search for His Identity” (shortlisted for the Sunday Times International Sportsbook of the Year) and “The Road to Nowhere: A Journey Through Boxing’s Wastelands.” You can reach him @trisdixon on X and Instagram.
