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Marco McCullough ready for British title fight after going through “pure hell”

Marco McCullough [17(10)-3(2)] has put himself through “hell,” and the Belfast featherweight is ready to win the British title in what he believes is the fight of the night.

McCullough takes on featherweight champion Ryan Walsh [21(10)-2(0)-1] at the Copper Box in London, live on BT Sport and BoxNation on the undercard of the IBF super featherweight title clash between Gervonta Davis and Liam Walsh [brother of Ryan].

The Shankill feather has had an up-and-down few years, being stopped by now-WBO European champion Zoltan Kovacs and Commonwealth champion Isaac Lowe, but comes into this bout with three straight wins since moving to new trainer Charlie Toland and new management at MTK Global.

McCullough is a massive underdog going into the bout – in which Walsh will look to make a third successful defence and thus win the belt outright – however can take heart from some impressively sharp performances recently.

The 27 year old Ulsterman is in phenomenal shape for what looks to be the biggest fight of his career, and explained that “I’ve put myself through ten weeks of pure hell in training camp.”

31 year old Walsh, who beat Belfast’s James Tennyson in his last defence, has been preparing with his brother Liam and was involved in a shouting match with Floyd Mayweather, promoter of Davis, at the press conference yesterday.

McCullough though is expecting a fully-focused opponent tomorrow night, and described how “I’m expecting the best Ryan Walsh, I know this is his last defence to keep the title.”

This, he believes, will help lead to an exciting fight, and an excited McCullough reasoned how “I think our two styles are going to gel and it’s going to be a real exciting fight. I think it’s going to be one of the best fights on the night.”

“This is why I box, and what I’m here for, I want to be in big fights. I can’t wait for the fight,

frayne carpentry

Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey speak to Jason Quigley on Episode 5 of The Irish Boxing Show:

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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