Michael McKinson plans 'eye-catching' display in Matchroom Fight Camp debut against former Josh Kelly opponent

McKinson defends WBO title against Przemyslaw Runowski in August

Portsmouth fighter Michael McKinson has revealed he is planning a show-stopping performance against Przemyslaw Runowski in his first fight as part of the Matchroom stable at Fight Camp in August.

The 20-0 scored a superb breakout professional victory over British welterweight rival Chris Kongo on the Povetkin vs Whyte 2 card earlier in the year, and is planning a route to a future world title shot in a talent-packed division.

His opponent Runowski has an impressive record of 19-1 with his only defeat coming to Josh Kelly by unanimous decision back in 2019, and the Polish fighter has since strung together two consecutive victories on returning to the ring.

But the 26-year-old British fighter has revealed his excitement at facing a 'game' opponent, but has emphasised the need for him to put an entertaining display at Fight Camp.

McKinson told Portsmouth News: "There is added pressure, it’s new for me to be the favourite, but the motivation stays the same.

"It’s a must-win fight, a tough fight. I want big names so I need to get through Runowski and I need to get through him looking good as well, so that’s the plan. I need to put on an eye-catching performance, make a statement, my first fight of me being the new kid on the block to Matchroom - I’ve got to impress.

"My job is not just to win, but to win in style. Knockout or not, it needs to be an eye-catching performance, I need to look levels above this guy.

"On paper it’s another 50-50, it’s a real tough fight on paper, but I need to make sure it doesn’t look a tough fight when I get in there.

"Everyone I have, they’re all tough fights, I wasn’t expecting an easy fight - I’m on the cusp of real big things at the moment."

Addressing the quality of his opponent, McKinson revealed the danger of this fight but remains confident of seeing the job through and progressing to bigger fights.

He said: "From what I remember, Josh Kelly made him look very ordinary and beat him wide on points.

"Obviously that was two years ago; since then he’s bounced back very well, the last guy he fought - that Syrowatka (Michal) - he knocked out in four rounds. That was a very good win because Syrowatka knocked out Robbie Davis Jr.

"If people want to look into the records, this is a very dangerous fight, but I make dangerous fighters look relatively easy.

"As long as I prepare how I do, get the hard sparring, continue to develop like I have been, then I’m more than confident of making myself look good.'

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