15 rounds with Demsey McKean

Fast-rising heavyweight contender Demsey McKean 18-0 (12) is nothing if not ambitious.

Despite no amateur career, the 6-foot-6 the Queensland southpaw has developed quickly as a pro and has his sights set on a top 10 world ranking within the next 12 months.

Now in his sixth year in the punch-for-pay ranks, McKean entered the top 15 rankings with the IBF and WBO with his 10th round knockout of American Jonathan Rice in early March.

Join us as we go 15 rounds with the ‘Tower of Terror’.

Round 1: What attracted you to boxing in the first place?

McKean: I was doing MMA and Muay Thai and a pro boxing fight came about and I took it on a couple days’ notice, then I was boxing full time after that.

Round 2: Toughest fight in the amateurs or pros?

McKean: Toughest fight in the pros as I didn’t have any amateur fights would’ve been my last against the giant American, Jonny Rice. Had a lot of weight on me and still moved really well and made me dig deep into the fight.

Round 3: Biggest puncher you’ve faced?

McKean: Jonny Rice again. He hit me square in the nose with a massive right hand and I thought my nose crumbled for a minute or two!

Round 4: What are the best and worst thing about being a boxer?

McKean: The best thing about being a boxer would be the reward of winning at the end of all the hard work put into the training camp, having that feeling is worth every bit of hard work put into it. The worst part would be the wear and tear on the body which we will no doubt feel later on in life, but you can manage that with smart training and a smart fight style. Other than that, I can’t think of anything that’s bad about boxing.

Round 5: What is your most defining win of your career?

McKean: Most defining win would have to be my last, securing the IBF intercontinental title and WBO Asia pacific title and becoming world rated with both sanctioning bodies at #13.

Round 6: What are your goals for the next 12 months?

McKean: Next goal is to wait for this so called “pandemic” to blow over so we can get back in the ring. To fight overseas and crack the top 10 in the world is a very foreseeable goal and will happen within the next few fights.

Round 7: What are some your hobbies away from the ring?

McKean: I don’t really have any hobbies apart from boxing, training and training other people. My downtime might just be going to the beach, watching Netflix and PlayStation. I love being lazy when I’m not busting my ass in the gym.

Round 8: Who is always ringside for you fights?

McKean: Always ringside for my fights would be my fiancé, mum and dad and close friends. I always bring a large crowd of friends and supporters though, so pretty much everyone.

Round 9: Who has been biggest influence on your career?

McKean: I have had a lot of positive influence in my life that have helped shape me, especially my father, but I have a lot of self-drive to be a better version of myself and athlete.

Round 10: What fight have you learnt the most from?

McKean: It would’ve been my second ever fight back when I was fighting MMA. It is still the only fight I’ve ever lost in all combat sports. I went into that fight with little experience or training and I tried to fight with anger and rushed in. Turns out I’m not that type of fighter and I got choked out in 1.30min thanks to Semir Celikovic. I never fought with that type of emotion and told myself I never wanted to lose again; I signed up at an extra gym to learn more jiu-jitsu and get more hours of training in for the week.

Round 11: What is something our readers would be surprised to learn about you?

McKean: That my great grandfather, Fred McKean was a bareknuckle boxer and was the first person to ever score a try for Parramatta Eels back in 1947.

Round 12: Do you have any superstitions or rituals you follow in the lead-up to fight night?

McKean: No real superstitions but fight day usually goes with sushi, swim at the beach and have a good stretch out during the day.

Round 13: What is your favourite post-fight feed?

McKean: Would have to be a week filled with burgers and bulk chocolate after my fight.

Round 14: Why would we find you when you’re away from the gym?

McKean: Either in my room chilling out watching movies or at the beach relaxing.

Round 15: If you weren’t boxing, what would you be doing?

McKean: I would’ve loved to either be in the Air Force or army as it was my goal early on, but I chose the path of combat sports.