Chris Keane signs for Frank Warren
Walsall's Christopher Keane has taken a swipe at former manager Barry McGuigan after signing a three-year deal with promoter Frank Warren.
Walsall's Christopher Keane has taken a swipe at former manager Barry McGuigan after signing a three-year deal with promoter Frank Warren.
The 2009 ABA heavyweight champion was announced as Warren's latest capture yesterday, effectively as a free agent, and will fight under their banner for the first time in September.
The 25-year-old had his contract with McGuigan, which still had a year to run, handed back to him after the former world champion failed to get him a fight in the last six months.
Keane has only had four bouts since turning pro in September 2009 but had to sit out the next 10 months after his debut, after tearing his bicep.
But it's the three fights in just under a year since that rankles with Keane, who believes his career will now turn a corner.
He said: "I wasn't getting fights, I wasn't getting anything really, it's a waste of time being a professional boxer like that.
"Barry poached me, otherwise I could have been going to the Olympics. He promised me the world, came up with nothing and I was left in the lurch.
"I am a honest guy, I believed him like a mug, but I have learned my lesson from that.
"With Frank Warren, the big boy, I will get noticed. Hopefully I can prove to him and myself that it was worth turning over.
"I am looking forward to it and, as long as I get regular fights, I will be happy. All I want to do is box."
Keane's new contract will see Warren promote him and Errol Johnson come on board as his manager, which will see him train at Wednesbury Boxing Academy twice a week.
Regular trainer Paul Hudson is still in his corner along with cutman Dean Edwards, who will take him for another two sessions a week at their Red Corner gym in Coventry.
And, with Warren and Johnson working behind the scenes, Keane is looking forward to getting busy.
He said: "I want to be fighting for some sort of title by the end of next year, the cruiserweight division is still wide open so there's a big chance for me.
"If I train hard, I will be fast and sharp and able to do it."
