‘I am within touching distance of great things’ – Mikey McKinson set for long-overdue ring return

Mikey Mckinson celebrates a victory. Picture: Scott Rawsthorne/ MTK Global

The boxer - nicknamed the Pompey Problem - is third in the UK rankings in his weight division.

He takes on fellow unbeaten fighter Martin Harkin as the headline act of MTK Global's show at Production Park Studios.

It represents McKinson's first bout since November and he is keen to make up for lost time after the coronavirus outbreak.

The 26-year-old was determined to improve on his 18-0 record this year and had targeted big things on the back of a massive win over Argentine Luis Alberto Veron.

Instead, McKinson has been forced to play a waiting game and now he wants the boxing world to take notice of him again.

But he will not be taking things lightly against the 'dangerous' Harkin, who boasts a 13-0 record.

‘He’s not a big name which I have been trying to call out,' conceded McKinson.

‘But he’s probably just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, it’s just he’s not a big name.

‘He’s got knockout power and stuff like that.

‘I’ve been chucked in with the sharks before and come out fine.

‘All of my life I’ve been fighting big guys who are trying to knock me out, big punchers and stuff like that, and I’ve dealt with them every single time.

‘I’m more than confident in my ability and in my team.

‘I just can’t wait to do what I do best again.'

If not for the pandemic, McKinson had plans for 2020 to be a 'life-changing' 12 months.

However, he is now preparing for his first fight of the year.

And McKinson is even more determined not to let all his hard work go to waste.

‘After a great and active 2019, I went into this year with high hopes it was going to catapult me into life-changing stuff,' he added.

‘The reality is I am within touching distance of great things.

'But this guy in front of me is a potential banana skin so I have to do the job and do it in style before thinking about these life-changing type of fights.'

McKinson's fight is being broadcast through the IFL TV stream on YouTube and on American channel ESPN+.