Another solid domestic UK clash will join a card chock-full of them. Matchroom announced today that unbeaten welterweights Chris Kongo and Michael McKinson will meet on the March 6th Alexander Povetkin-Dillian Whyte 2 DAZN card.
Kongo (12-0, 7 KO) earned the biggest win of his career last August by knocking out Luther Clay before Povetkin’s and Whyte’s first meeting. He later made clear his desire to challenge Conor Benn for the British title, but “The Destroyer” went on to beat Sebastian Formella instead and is gearing up to face Samuel Vargas in April.
“I’m very excited; this is a fight that I’ve wanted for a long time,” said Kongo. “He was saying that he was far ahead of me, but now I’ve got the belt, the tables have turned.
“Michael has said he’s the most avoided, but I know I’m the most avoided, so we have to make it happen. The two most dangerous fighters in the division – we’re both getting it on now – so it’s a big fight.
“It’s not, can I solve ‘The Problem?’ I will solve ‘The Problem’ on March 6, guaranteed. In the Luther Clay fight, I said before it, someone is going to go down, and I definitely know it’s not me. The same way someone is going to go down in this fight, and it’s definitely not me again.
“It’s going to be an explosive win for me. This is what we train for, and this is what we work for. I want the big risk fights. If you don’t take risks in life, you won’t get anywhere, so it’s all about taking another risk in my career.
McKinson (19-0, 2 KO) has the stronger résumé of the two despite the lack of finishes, scooping up some regional WBC and WBO titles along the way. He was supposed to fight another unbeaten in Martin Harkin early last year, but COVID pushed it back to October, where he claimed his one and only win of 2020 in one-sided fahsion.
“I’m very pleased with this Chris Kongo fight,” said McKinson. “It’s a fight I have called for, and I’m over the moon to get a fight that I want. I’ve wanted a big fight for a long time. I deserve one, and I’m buzzing.
“It’s a massive platform and one that I need in my career. I believe I was born to be on the big stage, and I can’t wait to show that on March 6. Chris Kongo is a dangerous fighter and a talented fighter, but there is no fighter like Michael McKinson. You can throw me in with anybody, and I’d come out victorious.
“I’ve told Chris before many times that all they needed to do was make the call, and the answer would be yes. Winning a fight like this can change my life and change my daughter’s life; it can catapult me to even bigger things. That’s why I’m in this sport, to do big things for my city of Portsmouth and big things for my daughter and make people proud, and that’s what I’ll do on March 6.”
Other fights on the card include Ted Cheeseman vs. James Metcalf, Fabio Wardley vs. Eric Molina, and Campbell Hatton’s professional debut.