By Jonny Stapleton

DEFENCE and power are the things Paul McCloskey has to improve on if he is to make a return to world level according to former world champion Wayne McCullough.

The Belfast native was ringside as Demarcus Corley stopped McCloskey and ultimately put paid to the Derry stylists world title dreams.

So poor was the former undefeated European champions display that the keyboard warriors called for one of the best supported Irish boxers to wave the white flag and hang up his gloves.

Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom warned a return to European or domestic level is next for the John Breen trained fighter in September.

Barcelona silver medallist seems to agree, but thinks with improvement he could be re-linked with the likes of Marcus Maidana, Zab Judah, Amir Khan and the like.

McCloskey’s defences rely solely on his reflexes and an improvement on that is paramount according to Irish boxing legend McCullough, as is an improvement in power.

“McCloskey has to consider his mistakes, what improvements he can make with his defence and how to get more power in his punches. He can come back but he has a lot to learn if he steps up to world level again,” McCullough said in his Sky Sports column.

“Corley was ahead by a few points going into the 10th but he got the job done within the distance just to make sure. He will probably get another big chance which he deserves after coming to McCloskey’s backyard and winning in style.”

The McCloskey stoppage was questioned by some, but McCullough believes the fight would have been stopped in Chop Chop’s favour regardless.

“His cornerman stood up on the ring apron as the referee was stopping the fight. McCloskey recovered pretty quickly and protested the stoppage but Corley was ready to go for the finish if the referee had allowed it to continue.”