Belfast welterweight Tyrone McKenna has insisted that, not only is he not retiring, but the 35-year-old made public his desire to feature on the Lewis Crocker-Paddy Donovan II undercard as a fan-friendly fighter seeking to be part of a historic night later this year.

McKenna (24-6-1, 7 KOs) has boxed many quality names during a 13-year career, having already once departed the sport in December 2023 citing a desire to enjoy life away from the grind with his family and 'keep the remaining brain cells' he had left by doing so.

That admission came a day after his 10-round unanimous decision defeat by Crocker on a Matchroom bill, though the southpaw couldn't keep away and France's Mohamed Mimoune stopped him in five rounds eight months later upon returning.

A second-round stoppage win over Dylan Moran four months later in Ireland helped him get back into the good graces and The Mighty Celt was deemed a stern litmus test for Harlem Eubank's second welterweight appearance in March. Dropped three times en route to a 10th-round knockout defeat, he needed to think on his future before making a decision.

Now, he's being more cautious with matchmaking but has been adamant about not closing the door on opportunities that make sense. In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, he said: "I'm definitely not retired, will never put that label on me again.

"I love boxing, training, the feeling, so I would be tempted to get back into the ring again if it was the right fight and money. I won't just take any fight like back in the day, going to be a bit smarter with the fights I take on."

There has been renewed speculation Crocker-Donovan 2 will be at Windsor Park later this summer, after IBF/WBA and Ring welterweight champion Jaron Ennis announced he'd be making an inevitable move up to junior middleweight earlier this month. Once the 28-year-old vacates his world titles, the Belfast vs. Limerick rematch would be for a vacant IBF strap.

When plans are eventually finalised, McKenna wants a call to feature on the undercard.

"It's a huge show, who wouldn't want to be on that? The first all-Irish world title boxing fight in Ireland, there will be a lot of competition to try and get on that but I would love to. If there is someone from Matchroom who needs a fight for it, I'll fight any one of them and there's talk it will be August-September time, gives me plenty of time to get ready.

The fans love entertainment, war, blood and what I bring to the table every time. It would be a promoter's dream to put me on that, they know exactly what they are going to get."

At welterweight, Matchroom have three UK-based contenders. Conor Benn's contracted rematch with Chris Eubank Jr was announced for September 20 last night, while British champion Conah Walker is riding the crest of a wave after his seventh-round stoppage win over Liam Taylor earlier this month. Pat McCormack (7-0, 5 KOs) could be an option if he wants to keep-busy, though is already the mandatory challenger for Walker's Lonsdale belt.