Emmet Brennan: 'Professional boxing is a cutthroat business'

Dublin boxer Emmet Brennan says he fought most of 2024 with one hand as he prepares for his highly anticipated rematch against Kerry’s Kevin Cronin.

Brennan defeated Cronin via split decision back in September at the 3Arena—a result disputed by many, including UFC president Dana White.

To settle the score, Brennan and Cronin will meet once again, this time at Madison Square Garden on March 16th, on the undercard of Callum Walsh.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie ahead of the bout, the Tokyo Olympian made it clear he wants victory beyond doubt when they clash again.

“For me, I don’t care how I win—it’s about winning,” said Brennan.

“As for how I think this fight will go in March, we know what he’s going to bring. He’s going to bring a lot of pressure, he’s going to try and make it scrappy, similar to what he did in the first fight.

“He can’t really do something different because, without being bad, if he does, I’ll just completely outbox him.

“For me, it’s about winning, but I want to win without any controversy—without anyone saying ‘robbery.’”

Brennan won all three of his fights in 2024, but the year came with its struggles.

Despite winning the Celtic Super Middleweight title against Cronin, an injury made fight preparations difficult.

“When you’re actually in the game, nothing is ever easy, and nothing is ever free-flowing.

“I fought the whole of 2024 with a hand injury. I fractured my hand last January and had to pull out of a very big show just weeks before it.

“Then I fought in March and injured the hand again in that fight. I fought Kevin in September and again in December, but my hand wasn’t right for any of those fights.

“Once I connected in the fights, my hand was going straight away. I fought three fights in 2024