Things move quickly in the heavyweight division – and nobody knows that better right now than undefeated Australian, Demsey McKean.
The 22-0 fighter with 14 knockouts was strongly linked to Anthony Joshua recently, with many in boxing believing that he was to be announced as the mysterious April opponent the former unified champion will face to get his career back on track.
Speaking to Boxing Social, McKean said that the fight would be life-changing for him.
“It’s obviously a fight that I’d love to take any day of the week. It’s a big opportunity fight, big name fight, and does wonders for my career to come through with the win.
It’s obviously a hard fight – a great fighter and great champion in AJ. A win there could skyrocket me to a world title fight straightaway. Not to mention career biggest payday and potential big fights after, so it’s a win-win for myself.”
Unfortunately, he believes it has fizzled out and that his former sparring partner, ‘AJ’, is looking elsewhere. Why? According to McKean, his southpaw stance that was the sticking point.
“The only thing is it’s started to fizzle out a little bit [given] the whole southpaw thing. The story of my life, nothing I’m not used to. He doesn’t want to fight a southpaw coming off a couple losses to a southpaw – which is devastating.
It’s quite sad these guys don’t like to fight certain fighters due to their stance. The Dillian Whyte fight – he pulled out and didn’t want to follow through with the contract due to me being a southpaw.
It definitely wouldn’t be happening in the old dates, mate, that’s for sure. Times have changed.”
Whilst McKean seems adamant that he won’t be facing Joshua next, there’s yet to be an official announcement as to who will be. As of writing, a new frontrunner in Jermaine Franklin has emerged.
It’s believed that the Brit’s team are looking for his new trainer – another thing yet to be made official, but likely to be Derrick James – to have an input into the strategy and matchmaking going forward.
If the opportunity has passed McKean by on this occasion, the press from the rumours may play well in his favour when making future bouts.