Preview of ESPN+ MTK FIGHT NIGHT: YORK HALL
Daniel Egbunike (4-0, 3 KOs) and Martin McDonagh (5-0) provided plenty of fireworks at their press conference ahead of their MTK Fight Night at York Hall. The card, which will be broadcast on ESPN+, also features several intriguing fights.
Highly regarded British prospect Ohara Davies (18-2, 14 KOs) faces his biggest challenge yet versus comebacking Miguel Vazquez (41-7, 15 KOs).
Vazquez was IBF Lightweight champion from 2010-2014. Notably, he also faced a young Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, who is now campaigning at 168 pounds. Vazquez and many other observers believe he won the first fight at his natural weight. A later rematch at a heavier weight went in Canelo’s favor.
Anthony Yigit (23-1-1, 8 KOs) is a former world title challenger, having come up short against Ivan Baranchyk in New Orleans last year as part of the World Boxing Super Series.
Yigit, who is young and articulate, will face his third fight since that loss when he takes on Siar Ozgul (15-3, 3 KOs) on Friday. Yigit is a charismatic and exciting fighter.
A Swede of Finnish, Turkish and Russian heritage, Yigit speaks a variety of languages and is learning Spanish to help make an impression with boxing audiences in North America.
Yigit took the time to speak to Round By Round Boxing about his upcoming fight and what he learned from his fight with DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley in 2015–his first time facing world class opposition.
He also offered a special message for American fight fans about what to expect from the next phase in his career.
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The bad blood between Daniel Egbunike and rival Martin McDonagh was apparent at the final presser.
At the presser, Egbunike was involved in a war of words with McDonagh’s trainer Billy Rumbol. Later, when the two fighters posed for a face off Egbunike at first refused to shake McDonagh’s hand due to his animosity toward Rumbol.
According to comments in the press, McDonagh feels Egbunike is not in his class, given McDonagh’s superior amateur pedigree.
Styles make fight and the two men could not be more different. McDonagh wore a suit and tie to the press conference, while Egbunike opted for a tracksuit signed with his ring moniker–Danny Darko.
“There are a lot of differences between me and him–not just southpaw and orthodox,” said Egbuinke. “I’ll make it extremely clear on the night so people should keep their eyes on this fight.”
