Fireworks are predicted when Dennis McCann and Ionut Baluta meet again on Saturday – with a war of words before their European title fight.
If the pre-fight press conference is anything to go by then McCann’s European title showdown is sure to be explosive.
It’s a big night for fellow Maidstone boxer Sean Noakes too, as he’s going for an English title. Both fights are at the O2 Arena on the undercard of the British heavyweight clash between Joe Joyce and Derek Chisora.
Promoter Frank Warren has predicted fireworks when McCann and Baluta meet in the ring after the two traded words during a heated weigh-in and pre-match interview.
McCann (15-0-1) already holds British and Commonwealth titles and the only pro bout he hasn’t won came last August, against the man he faces this weekend.
Their previous meeting, at York Hall, ended in a majority draw, the fight stopped by a cut to his forehead after an accidental head clash. McCann is determined to put his opponent behind him this time around.
Raising his fists to Baluta in the face-off, McCann declared: “They’ll sush you – trust me!”
That came after a fiery exchange with the Romanian opponent.
McCann vowed: “You’re going to get a bad beating, trust me. You know that. He’s going to get b***h slapped!
“Before the headbut happened [in the first fight] he was down on the cards by two or three rounds. I couldn’t see a single thing for three rounds. He was beaten in that fight but that’s in the past.
“I will show him who the boss is on Saturday night but I think he already knows what he’s in for.
“He fought a kid a year ago but I’m a full strong man now, big as an ox and ready to box!
Baluta, speaking through a translator, teased his Kent opponent, describing him as a “bambino” and said: “I am looking forward to a great spectacular event. I am ready, I am calm and I am looking forward to taking that belt home.
“I won the first fight and I am going to win again on Saturday – you can’t draw a fight that’s stopped by a trainer. I won the fight and I’ll be ready for it on Saturday.”
He went on to make reference to McCann’s nickname, Dennis The Menace, and the Kent fighter responded.
“Saturday night he will see why people call me Dennis The Menace.
“He needs to keep that gum shield in his mouth, no spitting it out looking for a rest. He’ll get stopped.
“You will get a bad beating – trust me! I’ll punch your brains in, simples!”
Baluta added: “You’re a man of social media and a man of many words – you talk a lot but you have to remember that in the ring I am the boss.”
McCann added: “I can talk a lot but I can back it up as well!”
The insults eventually came to an end with promoter Warren saying: “I hope the fight is as good as the verbals! They are both up for it, you can expect fireworks no doubt.”
Welterweight Sean Noakes (7-0) – also from Maidstone – fights Inder Bassi (12-1) for the English title.
Noakes will be backed by several hundred fans in a step up for him and said: “We’ve trained harder than ever and I am hoping this title is going to be the first of many.
“I am not looking past Inder, he is good fighter and so I have to be on my A-game. I am excited to put on a show for everyone.
“He is a good fighter, tall, rangy, but I am prepared. I am just excited to get in there now!”
Bassi, with just one loss in 13, said: “I am excited, it is an honour and a privilege to be fighting on a big show for a prestigious title.
“It’s the biggest fight of my life and you’ll see the best version of me. He is a good fighter but everyone is a good fighter at this stage – may the best man win. I have no messages – just my A-game.”
Warren added: “This is the start of the journey, an English title. Sean lets his fists do the talking and this is going to be a decent fight, no doubt about it. That Noakes family definitely do come to fight.”
Chatham’s unbeaten heavyweight Moses Itauma, meanwhile, is also fighting on the same bill, defending his WBO Inter-Continental title against Mariusz Wach.
He said at the press conference: “I would like to thank Mariusz for taking this fight because nobody else would and Saturday night I am going to display why people don’t take the fight against me.
“I am very grateful and privileged for the position I am in but I am always striving for more.
“I have been hurting my sparring partners in training and training hard for this fight and it is going to show on Saturday night.”
