BOXING: James Tennyson is ready for Irish title tussle

Belfast fighter Tennyson will face Declan Geraghty for the belt and he says he will deliver on the night.

“It’s going to be an explosive fight – both guys want this title as much as the other and we’re going to have to fight hard and perform to get it.

“Declan’s a good fighter and it won’t be easy so I’ll be leaving nothing to chance when I get in that ring.

“I believe I can come out on top and take that title. “I’m really looking forward to this fight and it’s going to be a great battle for the Irish title – it will be a massive fight within Ireland.

“Last time out I lost to Ryan Walsh in my British title challenge.

“I believe I will perform a lot better at super-featherweight being a more comfortable weight and you’ll see a different fighter in there.

“A good solid performance from me on the night, I feel, will get me the title.”

And Josh Taylor’s Commonwealth Games gold medal was relegated to second place in his list of achievements after winning his first senior title.

The 25-year-old Scot stood on the highest podium at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow in 2014 after defeating Junias Jonas of Namibia in the final.

However, the sense of satisfaction he felt two years ago as an amateur was usurped when he captured the Commonwealth super lightweight belt with an impressive fifth-round stoppage of Dave Ryan at Meadowbank on Friday night.

The Prestonpans fighter, managed by former world champion Barry McGuigan and trained by Shane McGuigan, had not gone beyond two rounds in his previous six successful fights.

“It’s better (than winning Commonwealth gold),” said Taylor when asked to compare his two landmark accomplishments.

“It’s the best, sweetest victory of my career so far.

“I think I’m the first British fighter to win it so quickly in his career.

“I knew I could do it. I knew from the day I signed on the dotted line with Barry that I could go to the top,” he added.