PORTSMOUTH fan Michael McKinson is dreaming of a Fratton Park fight after overcoming a late replacement to win his comeback bout.
McKinson was due to face 8-0 Mohammed Sahnoun in Nigeria but the Algerian pulled out after a weight disagreement.
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Michael McKinson won his comeback fight in Nigeria
Portsmouth stadium Fratton Park Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Sahnoun weighed in at 146lb believing it was a 147lb welterweight bout while McKinson came in at his contracted 150lb limit.
So Sahnoun pulled out and local 4-4 Nigerian boxer Afikun Segun Gbenga stepped in as a replacement on just 24 hours notice.
McKinson, who won over eight rounds, told JattvibeSport: “I went to sleep last night reassured but I woke up this morning with that feeling like, is it going to happen?
“I didn’t really find out a lot. I didn’t even know my opponent was southpaw until the first bell. I mean, he probably didn’t even weigh in either.
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“He’s a super-welterweight on BoxRec but my opponent yesterday was moaning about the weight. Did you see me moan about the weight once? Not at all.
“I just wanted to fight. It’s very important to continue my career and he was a tough guy. He got 24 hours notice and he managed to do that.
“So fair play to him but I’m better than that. We move on, we fight someone better next.”
McKinson has been the poster boy for boxing in Pompey since his 2014 debut.
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And with an influx of promoters staging bouts at football grounds – including Ipswich and Southampton’s – McKinson hopes Fratton Park is next.
He said: I’m always one or two big fights away from that happening.
“I’m the flag bearer for Portsmouth boxing. I have been for the last, how, how long have I been a pro? 12 years.
“I’ve been a pro 12 years now. So it’s always possible. It’s always in touching distance.
McKinson is a die-hard Pompey fan Credit: @mikeytheproblem
“And with the boxing world right now, there’s a lot of stadium fights happening and I can’t walk around my hometown without somebody telling me, ‘When’s it going to happen at Fratton Park?
“That’s the dream, that’s the goal but I need a couple of decent wins before we even talk about Fratton Park. Right now, I’m happy to be back.
“I’m happy to revive my career and get back with a nice win, but now we move on.
“I’ve got two bigger goals to be happy with beating this guy here, but I’m just happy to be fighting again.”
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There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Oleksandr Usyk takes on the king of kickboxing Rico Verhoeven and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown against fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to make a comeback after his defeat to Terence Crawford, while Dave Allen will also be looking to get back to winning ways against Filip Hrgovic.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
May
Sat 2 – Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani – Undisputed super-bantamweight title – DAZN
Sat 2 – Zurdo Ramirez vs David Benavidez – WBA & WBO Cruiserweight titles – Prime Video
Sat 9 – Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois – WBO title – DAZN PPV
Sat 16 – Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN
Sat 23 – Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC title – DAZN
June
Sat 6 – Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello – WBC super lightweight title – DAZN
Sat 13 – Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall – DAZN
Sat 20 – Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi – DAZN
Sat 27 – Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – DAZN
July
Sat 25 – Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – DAZN
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McKinson ended 16 agonising months on the boxing sidelines but he is ready to return home to celebrate with his family.
He also has a belated 32nd birthday cake waiting for him at home.
McKinson said: “I’ve been training and dieting since, well, all of this year, January 2nd, I found out about this.
“Big shout out to my missus, who’s been my chef at home.
“But when you’ve got to eat different meals than the rest of the family, it’s a bit of a bummer, isn’t it?
“So now I’ll get to sit down, enjoy some good food for a little bit but not too long because this is my job and I need to be active.
“So, if any possibilities, I know there’s a few shows on the South Coast happening over the next couple of months, who knows?
“Just get me out again. Get me out again ASAP.”
