Dennis McCann’s confidence certainly wasn’t affected by his draw with Inout Baluta.

Last August, the tough Romanian dragged McCann went through a ferocious gut check at a sweltering York Hall. Early in the ninth round, a cut to McCann’s forehead became too severe for him to continue with and the fight was halted. The scorecards were announced and both fighters were disappointed in having to settle for a technical draw.

The cut has healed and McCann (14-0-1, 8 KO’s) is ready to go once again. He didn’t ask for a gimme for his return to the ring and he hasn’t been given one. Instead he fights the unbeaten and ambitious Liverpudlian Brad Strand (11-0, 3 KO’s) in Birmingham on March 16th. 

After his victory over Joshua John in December, Strand used his post fight interview to call for a meeting with either McCann or British and European champion, Liam Davies. Whilst Davies has bigger fish to fry at the moment and fights Erik Robles Ayala for the IBO title on the same card, McCann was all too happy to accept his offer.

“He’s just another opponent for me. He’s unbeaten and he called me out so we’re both here now. We’re both fighting men. I’m surprised he took the fight to be fair,” McCann said.

“This fight sets me up for the next one. I’m using him as a warm up to be honest with you. I’m excited.

“I’ve been in Liverpool for seven weeks and more Scousers want me to win than him. He’s been fighting in leisure centres. I don’t know where he’s been to be honest. He’s here because I’ve brought him here to get a beating.”

McCann is a confident character and makes a lot of statements with his tongue firmly in his cheek. As a young amateur, he was something of a prodigy, winning nine national titles. Strand himself was a multi-time national champion, represented England and won the ABA National Elite finals in 2018. McCann will know all about the 26 year old.

As he hinted at, the fight is also now something of a local derby. His decision to leave his long time trainer, Al Smith, at the iBox gym in Bromley surprised many and after spending some time with Ricky Funez at the Ten Goose Gym in Los Angeles he came back to Britain and settled with Joe McNally in Liverpool. Strand’s Everton Red Triangle gym is a five minute drive away.

McCann will know that he can’t afford to take Strand lightly. After his draw with Baluta, a defeat could be extremely damaging, a fact he seems to recognize.

“I wanted the Baluta fight next but I think this fight will set me up for that hopefully,” he said. “I’ve had him in mind for a long time. I’ve been training hard over Christmas, I went to America training hard. I’ve changed coaches. I’ve moved straight to Liverpool and I’m living there full time now. I’m taking over his city. I’m very excited. I’ve got an unbeaten opponent. No-one wants easy fights. We’re fighting men so we want in proper fights.”