Headline News

Bunty’s back in Belfast- McVarnock ready to bring big fights home

There is no place like home for Ciaran McVarnock.
After a stint of fighting out of Manchester and some time spent travelling the lightweight returns to a Belfast ring on the Celtic Clash 8 card this weekend- and promises he is home for good.
Indeed, ‘Bunty’ wants in on the thriving Belfast fight scene and believes he can play a major role in bringing big fight nights to the city for Boxing Ireland.
“There is no place like home.I love Belfast,” an excited McVarnock told Irish-boxing.com.
“I want to join the rest and bring big nights to Belfast and I believe I will do it . You will see me fighting regular back home and I am aiming high there is no limit,” he adds before expressing both shock and delight at the level of support he has received. 
 
second coming Ciaran McVarnock 3
“The support has been amazing . I thought I would struggle to sell tickets after not fighting back home in so long and not being active, but this week everyone is jumping on board its brought the buzz right back. I haven’t even tried to push myself to sell tickets. For everyone that has bought a ticket I will be forever in their debt it means so much to me.”
There is a real sense of excitement from the Belfast fighter and he is itching to get in the ring for the first time in over a year. Indeed, so excited is the new Boxing Ireland fighter that he feels like he is making his debut again.
“I’m over the moon about this fight. It’s a great buzz fight week. Everyone around you has a buzz. I just can’t wait to get those 8oz gloves on now . I really have missed it it’s great to be back its like my debut all over again.”
The Gerry Storey trained fighter returns against experienced local journey man Alex Bazza and is well aware he won’t be welcomed back to the ring with open arms.
Bazza has yet to record a win in his pro career, but McVarnock isn’t fooled by the record.
“Bazza is going to be a real hard fight . His record means absolutely nothing. He can fight. He has mixed it with welterweights and I’m really only a feather weight.
“I remember the time he stood toe to toe with Manchester gym mate Kofi Yates in the Holiday Inn where they had a war . So he comes to fight and I know I’m not in for an easy days pay he is going to come.and fight.  Bazza is a hard man for me to fight after being out of the ring 17 months,”  he adds before thanking his sponsors.
“I want to thank my sponsors County Gas,  Craven Scaffolding, Capricorn Security, Moda Furnishings and Shore Travel for helping me out leading up to this fight and allowing me to train full time . Fingers crossed I can sort something out with them all that I can stay boxing full time and not need to work. That’s when you will see the best in me. Hopefully we can all work as a team and make that happen after this fight.”
dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

x