Dylan Emery on Kye MacKenzie challenge: “I’m ready to make a statement”

DYLAN Emery has gone about his business with minimal fuss or fanfare.

This approach has brought the New Zealand born prospect seventeen wins in as many starts, albeit against modest opposition. This will change when Emery (17-0, 10 KOs) takes on the highly regarded Kye MacKenzie (15-1, 13 KOs) for the vacant Australian light welterweight title at the Horden Pavilion in Sydney on Friday night.

In a brief interview with Aus-Boxing, Emery gives us an insight into his mindset ahead of the biggest fight of his professional career.

“There is always room for improvement, but all in all, I’m pretty happy with how things have gone in my fights this year,” he said.

“I feel like I’m ready to take on these bigger fights now. I always aim to have four fights a year, so I feel like it’s been a good and active year. Fighting for an Australian title is a great way to end the year.”

The road to the national title has been a long and winding one for Emery, who took up boxing shortly after meeting his career-long trainer Billy Hussein at his famed Body Punch Boxing Gym. The pair have clicked and now find themselves within reaching distance of their first professional title.

As Emery admits, this opportunity has been a long time coming since migrating to Australia when he was just sixteen years old.

“I’ve always loved the sport and I’ve always been a big fan,” he explained.

“I pretty much started and never looked back. When I first moved over to Australia, a friend of mine was actually training with Billy. He asked me to come along to the gym – and I just loved it – I’ve been here ever since. Having guys like Billy and Hussy in my corner gives me heaps of confidence.”

In MacKenzie, Emery is facing a seasoned prospect who has fought and finished several legitimate opponents, including former world title challenger Clive Atwell as well as the formerly world rated Matt Garlett. MacKenzie’s lone career blemish came at the hands of Jack Asis last year and the former Australian super featherweight champion has fought just once since.

Despite his inactivity, Emery refuses to take MacKenzie lightly, knowing that a win at the Horden Pavilion will take his career into unchartered territory.

“I think Kye is a pretty tough guy, I’ve seen a few of his fights,” he concluded. “I feel I’m well prepared for what he will throw at me – I’m ready for this – and I’m confident as I’ve had a good solid training camp and I’m just ready to go.”

“This definitely means a lot. I come to fight and I like to be aggressive. I want to go out there and win that title as I’ve been chasing it for a while now.”

“Now I have been given the opportunity I’m going to do what it takes to win it. I’m ready to make a statement.”

Photo: Warren S Photography