What’s next for Tommy McCarthy

Fast tracked Tommy McCarthy is exactly where he needs to be and can take his foot of the gas for a few months suggests manager Pat Magee.

The Belfast cruiserweight has raced his way into British title pole position within nine fights, capping off a very impressive start to pro life with a relatively comfortable win over former British and Prizefighter champion John Lewis Dickinson.

That Glasgow-hosted 10 round points win over Dickinson didn’t just see McCarthy add a second established name to his record- the 25 year old also defeated Courtney Fry last Summer- but moved ‘The Mac Attack’ into British title contention.

The strap is currently held by Ovill McKenzie, but the ‘Upsetter’ hasn’t defended it in 14 months and it’s expected that Matty Askin and Craig Kennedy will fight for a soon to be vacant belt over the coming months – and McCarthy will be next in line for the winner.

McCarthy’s manager Pat Magee has previously predicted his charge could be British champ within 10 fights, but now considering the former Irish Senior Heavyweight Champion is guaranteed a shot and will most likely have to wait for Kennedy and Askins to trade leather, he may wait until his twelfth fight before challenging.

Manager Magee sees it as the perfect opportunity for his fast-tracked puncher to bank some experience.

The Belfast manager and promoter, who also looks after Phillip Sutcliffe Jr and guided the career of former World champion Brian Magee, is hoping to get McCarthy out twice before a massive British title shot.

“The pathway is there now. No one can take that British title shot away from Tommy and he will get to challenge. I suspect Askins and Kennedy will fight for it soon so while it’s there for us we may have to wait. We would be happy to put Tommy in with either now after he proved the level he is at by putting Fry and Dickinson on his record without even fighting ten times,” Magee told Irish-boxing.com.

“Waiting might not be a bad thing. Tommy has moved to British title contention already and we may be able to get him two fights before Askins and Kennedy is sorted. I will look at two 10 round tests for him in the meantime. Two fights to learn, get used to the 10 rounds and gain experience.”

One of those clashes could  be in Belfast in September as Eddie Hearn looks to return to the capital of Irish boxing with the Sky Sports cameras.