Ballymena’s McKee claims BAMMA world title

Rhys McKee, pictured after his previous Lonsdale lightweight title win in Dublin. Credit: INPHO

Ballymena fighter Rhys McKee has earned himself the BAMMA world lightweight title, after defeating the only man to have ever beaten him.

The 22-year-old took on Englishman Tim Barnett in London on Friday night, after enduring a difficult road to the world title shot.

Just eight weeks before the biggest win of his career, his father passed away, and it has not been smooth sailing since then.

In his previous three fights, McKee had one win, one draw - against highly-rated prospect Richie Smullen - and that single loss against Barnett.

But on Friday night, the table were turned it and it was McKee who came out on top.