O’Kane focused on the job at hand

EAMONN O’Kane knows a World title shot may await if he is victorious on the World Awaits bill in Swindon tonight.

O’Kane takes on Ferenc Hafner a former foe of Andy Lee knowing he needs to win to keep alive his dreams of challenging for a World title.

With Felix Sturm and Billy Joe Saunders both turning down the chance to fight Hassan N’Dam for the IBF strap the number 8 ranked fighter has moved closer to a possible tilt.

It may not come in his next fight, but the Derry fighter knows it won’t come if he can’t beat the experienced Hungarian fighter tonight.

“If you sit down and think about if there is pressure, then definitely there is,” the 32-year-old said.

“Experience has taught me to take the fight as it is. Yes, there is a lot of stuff going on and a lot of stuff at stake.

“That is the same with every fight, if I had lost earlier on in my fights then I wouldn’t be where I am.I am focused on doing a good job, putting a game plan and new system of boxing together.

“Showing my improvements and I’m looking forward of doing a good job and moving on to that world stage.”

Tonight’s clash will be O’Kane’s first with Swindon based Irish trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick and he is confident improvements will be evident starting tonight.

“Paddy makes it looks very easy, he does it effortlessly, drilling it in getting rid of the bad habits and not going back to them.

“It is hard to erase, but I’m enjoying putting a new practice into place.I have been welcomed in there have been no short cuts taken, it has been hard work all long.

“I have no problem being told I need to do things better and Paddy thankfully, and the team, have shown me the right way to do it.

“I fully believe you’ll see a better Eamonn O’Kane and world title challenger.”


Integral part of the Irish boxing community for over 13 years