Photo courtesy of Queensberry Promotions.
Tonight (Fri 18th), the spiritual home of British boxing, the York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, is sold out and will be rockin’ as a potential new star faces his first legitimate test.
Dennis ‘The Menace’ McCann from Maidstone, Kent, England boxes talented Spanish-based Romanian Ionut Baluta in a promising twelve rounder at junior-featherweight (122lbs/8st,10lbs).
The 22 year old McCann has an impressive 14-0 (8 KO’s) record and amateur experience representing England in the European (Schoolboy) Games. He is well touted member of the Queensberry Promotional camp headed up by hall-of-fame promoter Frank Warren and good things for McCann are expected.
Baluta (16-4, 3 KO’s), at age 29, has mixed in better company to date than McCann, and is coming in as a bit of a ‘gatekeeper’ to progression in the weight class, certainly at a UK domestic level having fought on those shores a number of times recently.
The Romanian won on a split decision against the highly talented Andrew Cain from Liverpool in his last outing in March 2023. McCann won the Commonwealth crown in his previous fight against Joe Ham in November 2022. This though won’t be up for grabs tonight due to Baluta’s nationality.
Both McCann and Baluta have sparred many rounds in a Kent gym and consequently know each other well. McCann also being ringside at recent Baluta fights. They’ve been circling each other for some time.
Whilst the future looks bright for the charismatic McCann, Baluta should cause him to answer a number of questions. The Romanian is technically excellent and will trade on his durability and cunning. We do though expect McCann to come through with his youth, good technique and patience, and see a wide points victory.
‘The Menace’ is sure to exhibit his engaging smile and humour in the post-fight interview and will subsequently look to move onto bigger things.
Other fighters to feature on a good card include British featherweight (126lbs/9st) champion Nathaniel Collins (12-0, 6 KO’s) in his first defence against Raza Hamza (17-1-1, 7 KO’s), which is also for the Commonwealth title. Plus, amongst others; Southampton puncher Ryan Garner (13-0, 7 KO’s) faces Spaniard Juan Jesus Antunez (12-1, 4 KO’s) at junior-lightweight (130lbs/9st, 4lbs). We expect the 25 year old Garner to win but may be extended more than usual.
The full card and main event will be shown live on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sports) from 19:30 BST. It should be a good night’s action.
The Undisputed 