Chris Kongo is ready to prove he is the best welterweight in the United Kingdom by becoming the first man to beat 19-0 Michael McKinson when the pair collide this Saturday March 27th at the Europa Point Sports Complex in Gibraltar, live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and on DAZN elsewhere. Kongo (12-0) clinically dispatched Luther Clay in nine rounds last summer, taking full advantage oh his first opportunity on the big stage. Saturday’s clash with Portsmouth’s McKinson is a big step-up for the 28 year-old, who has drawn confidence from the valuable rounds he’s banked sparring with unified 140-pound champion Josh Taylor.
“I’m the underdog in this fight,” said Kongo. “I’ll win it. I’ve got a better skillset, I’m stronger, a lot faster and it’s all about being smart in the ring and I believe I’m the best and the smartest in the UK – period. The Kongo-McKinson story began when we sparred three years ago, only the one tinme. He didn’t come back after that. I’ve got the big platform and... he’s looking for the opportunity, so he’s coming to me. My focus is still the same, getting to the top and trying to get rid of McKinson."
Congo continued, “I’ve been sparring top fighters, a guy that’s going on to become Undisputed Champion of the World. I can’t get any better preparation than that, so I’m fully ready and focused. To be able to spar a champion before I go into a British level fight is wicked. It’s going to up my game and it has. I’ve been able to feel it, I’ve seen it. I feel a lot better and I feel a lot sharper. A lot of people are mentioning me in the mix with the likes of Conor Benn and Josh Kelly, now it’s my time to put my stamp on the division. I believe I am the best in the UK. Now it’s my time coming up, and I believe right now is the worst time to fight me. Michael McKinson, I’m bringing fireworks and I’m bringing the heat so make sure you’re ready.”
Kongo vs. McKinson is part of a huge night of action in Gibraltar when Alexander Povetkin (36-2-1, 25 KOs) rematches Dillian Whyte (27-2, 18 KOs) with the Interim WBC heavyweight title on the line, Bermondsey’s Ted Cheeseman (16-2-1, 9 KOs) meets Liverpool’s James Metcalf (21-0, 13 KOs) for the vacant British 154-pound title, Ipswich Heavyweight Fabio Wardley (10-0, 9 KOs) steps-up again against Eric Molina (27-6, 19 KOs), Manchester Super-Featherweight Campbell Hatton – son of British fight legend Ricky Hatton – makes his professional debut against Jesus Ruiz, Heavyweight Eric Pfeifer (7-0, 5 KOs) locks horns with Nick Webb (16-2, 12 KOs) and Wembley Super-Featherweight Youssef Khoumari ( 11-0-1, 4 KOs) faces Birmingham’s Kane Baker (14-7).
