Tyrone McKenna joked that he has suffered worse cuts while shaving than the one that brought a premature end to his fight with Regis Prograis in Dubai.
But the gutsy Belfast boxer says he knew inside the first round of Saturday's scrap that the former world champion was one of the heaviest hitters he has faced in his career.
McKenna, a 9/1 outsider heading into the ring, was left bandaged and bruised after a serious cut brought an end to the bout.
Read more: Tyrone McKenna voices frustration after losing out to Regis Prograis in Dubai
The Lenadoon man was dropped by a devastating left hook from the classy American in the second round but survived, only for a bad cut under his right eye to end proceedings in the sixth.
On his Instagram account, McKenna joked that he had suffered "worse cuts shaving", before adding: "Congrats to Regis Prograis. World class fighter. Enjoyed it while it lasted."
He added: "People are too scared to fail that they're afraid to even try! One thing about me I'll always give it my all."
Asked about Prograis' power after the fight, McKenna told IFL TV: “He hits like f***, I’ll tell you that much.
“He hit me with a jab in the first round and I thought ‘that’s his jab hand!’ But I’m a tough c*** and I took the shots.
“It was warming up into a good fight, but obviously I couldn’t continue. Look, I wish I could have finished the 10, but it is what it is.
"Big cut, but he’s good. Unfortunately it finished prematurely, but listen, it was fun and I wish him all the best.
“The whole week was fun and we gave each other sh**. His crowd gave me sh**, I gave them sh**. And then we had a good fight.”
Prograis took his record to 27 and 1, his only defeat coming at the hands of undisputed super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor in 2019.
Saturday was the third defeat of McKenna’s professional career, the 32-year-old's record now reading: 22-3-1.
