Kenney ready to go for title
Rob Kenney competes at welterweight for the first time at the Wolverhampton Civic Hall on February 27 aiming to hit the ground running.
As first fights go it can't be bad, taking on Chris Long in the main event for the vacant British Masters title.
Kenney has spent the majority of his first nine fights at middleweight, boasting an undefeated record and a Midland championship in the process.
So determined is the Wolverhampton boxer to succeed at welterweight that he has vacated the title.
His originally planned bout against Jimmy Doherty wouldn't have gone ahead anyway, with the Stoke slugger reported to have retired.
So Long has stepped up and, after pushing Steve Saville and Dean Harrison to fine encounters in 2008, he will come to fight.
Kenney said: "I have seen Chris in action before, I know what he is about and I am not worried. You can study opponents as much as you like, but when you get in the ring it all changes. All you can do is prepare yourself and worry about yourself.
"I am concentrating on my own game."
At 31 years old, Kenney finds himself in the position of only being into his third year as a pro, having only entered the ranks at aged 29.
But Young Mutley is one year older and still in hot pursuit of the British title, proving age is no barrier for the fighters in the 'First Team' camp - so far.
Much like the West Bromwich welterweight, Kenney also has his eyes on a prize.
He said: "Now I have dropped a weight, I hope to compete for the English title at my new weight by the end of the year. I am probably a couple of decent wins from that, so this fight takes on a lot of importance for me.
"I am 31, I need to move as quick as I can. There is no time to waste. It's a really tough category, I know that, but I am up to the challenge."
Kenney has not fought since beating Max Maxwell for the title in September, with a planned bout in Dudley in November called off the last minute.
Left kicking his heels since, he is chomping at the bit to return.
He said: "I just want to get in there, after not being in the ring for a long time. After the last show was cancelled, I had a couple of weeks off over Christmas and have been training hard ever since, to get myself down to welterweight and be ready for this fight.
"I love boxing at the Civic, it's my hometown and I always wanted to headline a Civic show."
To be there for the big fight, contact the box office on 0870 320 7000 or promoter Paul 'PJ' Rowson on 07976 283 157.
