McKinson keen to keep proving doubters wrong

The Portsmouth-born boxer successfully defended his WBC international silver welterweight title last month courtesy of a unanimous decision victory over the highly-rated Sammy McNess at York Hall.

That win took his impressive professional record to 15-0, and McKinson is keen to keep showcasing his talents in the welterweight division.

He's feels he's already taken some tricky fights in his blossoming career to date, with the aim now to battle it out for other belts moving forward.

The unanimous decision win over former GB amateur McNess was also the first time McKinson has produced the goods in front of the television cameras.

He said: '˜There was a lot of talk about him (McNess) in the boxing world but we proved a lot of people wrong.

'˜I was really happy with my performance. It was my first fight with exposure on TV, having interviews and things like that, it's what I needed.

'˜Obviously, I was 14-0 going into it but I was really under the radar. It was an opportunity to showcase my skills on TV and I delivered.

'˜I've had a few risky fights already in my career, I'd say that's my third 50/50 fight where I was probably put down as the underdog and I've delivered.

'˜Those are the fights I want to be in, when people don't necessarily think I'm the favourite '“the doubters motivate me. It was quite a clear win and I'm sure to get an even bigger fight next, so that is exactly what I want.'

Many were tipping McNess to come out on top in the bout, but once again the man nicknamed '˜The Problem' produced the goods.

McKinson believes things were so comfortable he could have stopped his opponent inside the distance.

He added: '˜I went to his hometown of London with not many people in the boxing world giving me a chance, they thought that he would beat me. But myself and the team were confident in my ability.

'I had to be switched on throughout the fight because he's dangerous and is a big puncher, but I made easy work of it.

'˜It was quite a comfortable win. Looking back, I thought I won every round, but they gave him one of the rounds. 

'I've definitely made a statement to the welterweight division and there's definitely a lot of people talking about me right now. I'm excited to see what the future brings.'

McKinson is now to take some well-earned time away from the ring, before looking at potential opponents ahead of what could be his biggest year in the sport.

'˜I'm currently on a two-week rest,' he added.

'˜I'm trying not to think about the gym, diet, food things like that, I just want to enjoy myself.

'˜I've come through a tough 10 weeks training for my previous fight.

'˜I'm always in the gym so I'm having a few weeks off.

'˜I'll be back in the gym to stay fit over the Christmas period because a couple of fighters have asked me to help them sparring.

'˜In terms of competing, it will probably be early 2019, but it's likely to be an important fight.

'˜I'm right in the picture in the top 10 now. I think I'm ranked seventh in Britain out of 150. I'm quite high and I'm there now.

'˜My management team at MTK, it's up to them now to get to work and get my next fight.'