By Elliot Foster

Tyrone McKenna picked up a title with a victory over Darragh Foley.

The Belfast super-lightweight took on the former WBA Oceania champion for the vacant WBC International title at Ulster Hall in his home city.

The fight formed part of the supporting cast to the vacant WBO European light-heavyweight title clash between Steven Ward and Liam Conroy, exclusively live on iFL TV in the UK and ESPN+ Stateside.

McKenna started the fight aggressively, looking to gain an early advantage over his opponent, who suffered a points defeat at the hands of Akeem Ennis-Brown for the vacant IBF European title back in December 2018 before bouncing back with a pair of wins, one by knockout, in his native Australia.

But Foley, who slipped to 17-4-1 with nine quick in defeat, came back into it in the middle rounds, with his corner urging him to up the ante as they felt McKenna was struggling.

That, however, wasn’t the case as the three scoring judges at ringside all scored the contest in favour of ’The Mighty Celt’, handing in tallies of 98-91, 97-93 and 98-91 at the end of 10 scheduled rounds.

The referee was Victor Loughlin and he watched both men give it their all towards the end. McKenna got his tactics right, catching Foley on the way in and ultimately catching the eye of the three arbiters in order to take home the decision.

He is now 19-1-1 with six quick but was equally as rapid in dismissing speculation that he could face Ohara Davies next.

Davies takes on former world champion Miguel Vazquez over 10 rounds at Bethnal Green’s famous York Hall venue next Friday but McKenna said after his win that the fight had been offered to the former WBC Silver super-lightweight king numerous times and has been declined on each occasion.