PETER MCDONAGH IS PREPARED FOR A “WAR” WHEN HE FIGHTS FOR THE IRISH TITLE

London (11 March) Peter McDonagh is prepared to have a “war” when he meets John Hutchinson at Rivermead, Reading, on March 15.

McDonagh, who is dedicating the fight to his late sister, insists there is “no losing this fight” as he contends for the Irish light middleweight title on the undercard to the first set of MaxiNutrition Knockout quarter-finals, live on Channel 5.

“I’m dedicating my fight to my sister, who passed away in January to breast cancer,” Peter said.

“It’s her birthday on Monday so it would be a great birthday present to win the Irish titleon Saturday night – there’s no losing, I have to win this fight.”

The 36-year-old former BBBofC Southern Area lightweight and Irish lightweight champion who is making his ring entrance alongside Darren Gough and Soccer AM’sown Tubes, believes with the backing of Hennessy Sports he can push on with his career.

“People are taking me a lot more seriously now, “ Peter said.

“I’ve been training out in Marbella and the MGM and that’s where my camps will be from now on.

“With Hennessy Sports and the MGM I feel as though I can win big titles.”

Born in Galway, Ireland, McDonagh of Bermondsey, London, takes on the undefeated 27-year-old ‘Buncrana Banger’ Hutchinson.

But Peter insists he is not overlooking his latest opponent and sees him as the first step towards bigger opportunities.

“I’m Irish, I’m pure Irish and I just want to be the Irish champion again,” Peter said.

“Once I’ve won that I’m there then, I’ll have a title and I can start targeting something else.

“I’m not looking beyond John Hutchinson on Saturday, he’s an unbeaten fighter, he’s fought in America, he’s a big tough kid and very strong.

“He’s not the most technical fighter, so I’m going to show him how to box and if it becomes a war in the later rounds I’m prepared to have a war.

“I think when it gets to the later rounds that’s when you’ll see me at my best.”

McDonagh competes on the undercard to English light heavyweight champion, Bob Ajisafe and former British, Commonwealth and European champion, Dean Francis, as they clash for the British light heavyweight title and a place in the next round of the MaxiNutrition Knockout.

Also scheduled to fight on the show is Leon Senior, as he faces former Commonwealth title challenger Tony Hill over 10 rounds, in the second quarter final of the MaxiNutrition Knockout for the Southern Area light heavyweight belt. 

Former British light welterweight champion and European title challenger Lenny Daws will also be in action, along with Reading’s own Tamuka Mucha, Ricky O’Brien and Slough’s John Brennan.