Boxer Dennis McCann is set to fight for the European title this summer. McCann, from Maidstone, already holds
British and Commonwealth belts in the super-bantamweight division. And the 23-year-old is aiming to add the European crown in a rematch with Romanian Ionut Baluta, the pair having drawn their first meeting in August last year. “I’ve got the rematch with him for the European title,” said McCann. “It’s not been announced yet but it should be happening mid-June. “It’ll be a massive fight. I’m absolutely buzzing for that and then I’m a couple of fights away from a world title. “I’ll smash him. I’ll kill him. I’m definitely going to stop him this time. I’m very, very confident of that. “I’m going to make a mess of him. I don’t think there’ll be anyone from Kent who’s won British, Commonwealth and European titles at 23 years of age. I’m just a baby.” McCann has long been seen as one of the hottest talents in
boxing since bursting on to the scene as a teenager. There were early comparisons with ex-world champion Naseem Hamed as the youngster made his way under legendary promoter Frank Warren. WBO Youth and WBC International Silver titles were followed by Commonwealth glory at the end of 2022. The draw with Baluta ended his perfect record but he was back with a bang in Birmingham last month when he beat Brad Strand for the British and WBO Inter-Continental titles. He floored his unbeaten opponent with a right hook in the second round en route to a unanimous decision which also saw him defend his Commonwealth belt. McCann felt the benefits of working with his new training team of Joe McNally and Declan O’Rourke. “I’ve stepped up my levels big-time with them,” said McCann. “They’re very well-known and they have that experience of working on the world stage, at the highest level. “I felt I needed that behind me. “A lot of people thought I was going to lose my last fight but I knew I was going to beat him. I’d have bet my life on it. “He was a top amateur and 11-0 in the pros but I dropped him in the second round and bashed him up all the way through. I made a big statement. It was my career-best performance. “I can’t wait for this next fight to prove the doubters wrong again. “People probably think I’m going to lose but that’s what we live for, to prove the doubters wrong.”