Sean ‘Big Sexy’ Turner is adamant toned muscle counts for nothing when it comes to fighting as he prepares to face unbeaten heavyweight Nathan Gorman on Saturday.

The burly Dubliner (12-2-KO8) is an underdog on the Tyson Fury bill at the Manchester Arena but plans to defy his critics and anyone who hails Anthony Joshua’s physique as a blueprint for success.

Turner said: “Being 'cut' like AJ means absolutely nothing. This is fighting. I carry a bit of weight. I’m as trim possible though and have got rounds under my belt.

“I’ve got big legs and they help me absorb the shots. I feel in great shape for this fight.

“Basically, I just love fighting so whether I get one week or six weeks’ notice, I’ll fight them anyway.

“I used to be a bit lazy when it came to training and struggle for motivation but that’s all out of my system now. It’ll be a new me in that ring.”

Turner, 27, last fought in February, when he took on the highly-rated Filip Hrgovic in Germany on short notice and suffered a points defeat over eight rounds.

Never stopped, ‘Big Sexy’ is hoping his high-profile clash with Gorman can guarantee him more big names and big purses in future.

Turner said: “Hrgovic couldn’t hurt me. He caught me clean with his right hand three times and I didn’t move. I’d had no preparation for that fight.

“I’m over the moon to be on the Fury undercard. We’re good friends and I’ve been his sparring partner for lots of his fights. However, if I win this fight, who knows what’s next? Maybe I’ll fight him.

“That’s what has been motivating me for this fight with Gorman. When I beat him, I’ll have to be talked about with guys like Fury, Joshua and Dillian Whyte. I’ll have big fights coming my way.”

MTK Global is proud to have secured the signature of WBC-ranked welterweight Michael McKinson.

 

The 24-year-old has cruised to a record of 13-0-KO2 and caused a stir with a stoppage of former British and Commonwealth champion Colin Lynes in his last bout back in November.

The Portsmouth-born southpaw said: “I’m unbeaten and I’m the current WBC International Silver champion. I’ve got something serious in that belt that other people want so hopefully that will encourage people to fight me now.

“MTK Global is a massive platform. Anybody who’s anybody seems to be with them. I think it’s the best thing for my career now. With MTK Global I’ll get the opportunities I’m overdue.

“My power is developing 100%. I turned professional at 20 and boxed hard journeyman. I couldn’t show off what I am. People will underestimate my power but it’s developed so much over the last 10 months. I’m even stronger now than I was when I stopped Lynes.

“I want my name to be in the mix with people like Paddy Gallagher and Gary Corcoran. Fighting on the next big TV show would be nice. When people are talking about those guys, I want my name in the mix too.

“I’m still young. I’ve still got a lot of time and I believe I’m with the right people now.”

Despite boasting a world ranking title, McKinson doubts whether the likes of Conor Benn and Frankie Gavin will be in any rush to face him.

McKinson added: “After stopping Lynes I thought I’d get the opportunities but the phone isn’t ringing. I’m high risk and low reward. I’d already made some noise about Gavin on Twitter. He’s got a mandatory and didn’t want to know.

“Conor Benn is a moneyball. I’m not an outspoken guy naturally but I will make noise about these guys. I’ve called both Benn and Gavin out and Benn’s people are not stupid enough to put him in with me. He’s not on my level.

“I’ve won two WBC titles and I’m ranked by them. They’re stepping stone titles. Great people have won these belts. Whatever opportunities I can get, any big bouts I can get, it’s always one step closer to where I’m going.”

JJ Metcalf is hoping to earn a WBC ranking title by beating Aitor Nieto and then target huge domestic fights with Kell Brook and Amir Khan.

 

The unbeaten light-middleweight (17-0-KO9) takes on the Spaniard on Tyson Fury’s undercard on Saturday night and is keen to force even higher-profile bouts as soon as possible.

Liverpool’s Metcalf said: “I need to get a move on. I’m just going to win this title and hopefully push on towards something else. I want to be one of those rare fighters who never gets beaten.

“I’ll get in an eliminator and then fight for a world title. I’d have a massive chance against big names like Kell Brook and Amir Khan. Brook is the better fighter for me and that fight would be a really good 50-50 but I’d be far too strong for Khan.

“I’ve had a lot of frustrations. I was going to fight for a British title and then Ted Cheeseman pulled out. I thought I was going to fight Liam Williams for the British title and then the board wanted an eliminator.

“I’ve had to wait lots of times and there have been lots of pull-outs. It’s time to get going in my career and it starts on Saturday.

“What better stage to do it on than Fury’s comeback fight? I’m looking forward to the big occasion.”

In addition to Fury, Metcalf’s MTK Global team-mates Jack Massey, Ian Tims, Sean Turner, Sam Maxwell, Troy Williamson and Alex Dickinson feature on the card.

MTK Global is delighted to announce the signing of talented Australian model-turned-professional-boxer Avril Mathie.

 

Mathie was previously an award-winning model at elite level but turned to boxing in 2012 and, having begun her professional career in style with two first-round knockouts, is aiming to revolutionise the perception of women in the sport.

The 30-year-old, who was crowned Miss Swimsuits USA International in 2014, said: “I was at a party when I was in high school and a guy grabbed my backside. I punched him.

“The problem was that I put my thumb in my fist and nearly broke it. Someone asked me to come and learn how to punch by learning Muay Thai and I went along for fun.

“Later on, I broke my toe and then switched to boxing. It’s much more tactical. I had amateur fights but never considered turning professional until I moved to America.

“I had plenty of obstacles in front of me at that point but my self-belief never wavered. I’ve got a great team behind me now and with their help, I’ve no doubt I’ll get to where I want to be.

“I’m going to be world champion for a long time but I also want to be the most exciting, the most watched and the most highly-paid woman in boxing. I want to change female boxing and bring it to the fans like we’ve never seen before.

“I didn’t consider myself a power-puncher as an amateur but as a pro, I dropped to 118lb and at that weight I have a lot of power. I’ve been working on it a lot and it’s exciting to know I can really punch.

“I had interest from various different management companies but my close friends who are boxers recommended MTK Global and I had a good feeling about them from the very first conversation.

“I think it’s going to be a really great relationship with MTK Global and they’re going to help me secure some fantastic opportunities. I feel great about it.”