Dennis McCann has given himself less than two years to reach his peak as he hunts for a world title.
Aged just 23, he is already a British junior featherweight champion.
He has been a professional for five years already, and speaking to BoxingScene, he made it clear that for him, it is more of a vocation than a career.
“Oh, I love it more now. I live and breathe it,” he said.
“I watch boxing all day, every day. I love fighting. Seeing blood and bleeding myself, I just love it. I like dogging it out. I try to come out windmilling, but that’s why I’ve got a team to stop me. I just love dogfights.”
Last August, McCann came up against Ionut Baluta in London, and a cut to his head led to a technical draw.
Their rematch on July 27 (live on ESPN+ in the US) will be a step up, for the European title, and McCann is keen to show his improvement.
“I’ve filled out a lot more now. It was about a year ago, and I’m a man now. I’m 23 years of age. I’m ready to take his chin off,” he explained.
“I’m a strong super bantamweight now. I was sparring a light welterweight this morning and bashed him up in the gym. I borrowed somebody’s head guard and gloves, had no gum shield and said, ‘F—k it, chuck me in.’
“I’ve been looking forward to this one. I tried to make the fight happen straight away, but that’s why you have a good management team around you. I got a nice little win last time and I’ve got a new coach. I’m in a new gym and I’ve got that new team around me. The only way is up now.
“It’s a solid gym. It’s buzzing and we’re all thriving off each other. Josh Taylor’s in there, and I probably did 40 or 50 rounds with him for his fight [with Jack Catterall]. He’s caught me with a few big ones, I’m not gonna lie. We’ve had some good old spars.
“You can’t buy that experience. I’m very, very grateful.”
He thinks he is not yet at his peak, but predicted he could be soon.
“I reckon in 18 months or so,” he said.
“I think I can be a world champion, it’s all down to me. If I keep my eyes on the job, in and out of the gym. That’s a big thing, because as a young boy you have to keep your eyes on the prize. I do think I’m the most skillful, strongest super bantamweight.”
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