Dennis McCann sets sights on a pair of solid contenders
Teenage wonder Dennis McCann is setting his sights on a pair of solid contenders – former WBO European champion Prince Patel and Southern Area title-holder Ryan Walker – as he looks to fast-track his rise in the bantamweight division.
The 19-year-old McCann (10-0, 6KOs) has become one of the leading prospects in the UK, having won all his of his professional bouts in style since turning pro in May 2019.
Dennis 'The Menace' swept away his last opponent John Chuwa, of Tanzania, in two rounds to extend his unbeaten record to double figures in what was supposed to be a bantamweight eight-rounder at the Royal Albert Hall in west London.
The Maidstone southpaw, who is known for his lightning quick combinations and slick defensive skills, is raring to test himself against stronger opposition – and has pinpointed Patel and Walker as being two names he wants to share the ring with.
McCann said: “I am a dedicated fighter. Since I was 11, I lived out in the countryside like I do now so all I know is eat, sleep, train, repeat – day in day out. I know my goals and I want to reach them.
“I want someone with a good record and experience with a title to show. I’m the real deal. When you fight low class opponents, they bring you down to their level. They have not seen half of what I bring to the table.
“The likes of Prince Patel and Ryan Walker, those kinds of fighters who have the experience which can bring me to the next level in my career. I want to show the world that I am cut from a different cloth.
“I thrive off pressure. I love the nerves they keep me on edge, so I know I was born for the bright lights. It is my thing and I don’t fold under pressure – I shine.”
Ryan Walker (11-3, 2KOs) is a former Southern Area super-bantamweight champion, who has suffered back to back defeats to current European bantamweight champ Lee McGregor and former world ruler Paul Butler.
The 29-year-old 'Lion' from London would provide a stern test for McCann.
Prince Patel (24-1-2, 19KOs), 28 from Blackburn, has built up an impressive record – on paper – by fighting lesser opponents for obscure titles abroad, which consists of regional belts largely unheard of, such as UBO; BBU; WBF; ABU belts. He has also won natonal titles in Egypt, Africa and Hungary!
His sole career defeat was to Venezuala's Michell Banquez (19-1, 13KOs) for the IBO World bantamweight title in 2019. He hasn't lost since that fight, scoring five KOs in his last six contests, one of those ending in a split decision draw. In his last fight, in March this year, Patel stopped Tanzanian Julias Kisarawe (32-8-1, 16KOs) to win five vacant titles! They were the WBA Inter-Continental; IBF Continental Africa; WBO Africa; WBO Global; and Commonwealth super-flyweight titles!
Patel and McCann both have a shared opponent in John Chuwa, who took the 'Prince' the distance over eight rounds, with scores of 80-71, but only lasted five minutes with McCann.
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