Next Scottish star Joe Ham to prepare for Tyrone McCullagh fight in Wild Card Gym

Joe Ham will prepare for his BBBofC Celtic title fight with Tyrone McCullagh in the legendary Wild Card gym.

The British Boxing Board of Control have ruled the super bantamweight clash – which is also a British title eliminator – has to play out before the end of July and, with purse bids set for April 11th.

Derry’s McCullagh [9(5)-0] has to come through a fight with Elvis Guillen on the Frampton-Donaire undercard so it could be some time before we find out where or exactly when a fight between two hungry undefeated boxers will play out.

However, Ham [14(5)-0] is already back in training following a win over Edwin Tellez at the start of the month and will be preparing for the clash at the gym run by Freddie Roach.

The Wild Card venture will be the undefeated ticket-seller’s third trip to the noted LA gym and he believes it will at the very least provide him with the type of sparring that will best prepare him for awkward southpaw ‘White Chocolate’.

“I started back training earlier this week so my camp will be about eight to ten weeks so I’ll be in great shape,” he told the Herald.

“I’m really looking forward to going back to Wild Card – it’s one of the best gyms in the world and you’re mixing with some of the best talent so it’s a great place to be. And McCullagh is a southpaw so I’ll be going up against a lot of them to make sure I’m well used to fighting southpaws by June.”

Ham, who McCullagh first called out via Irish-Boxing.com at the start of 2017, has impressed to date and believes he is starting to establish himself as a Scottish name.

Indeed, he hints he may be progressing to headlining his own show, something that could happen against McCullagh – who himself topped two consecutive small hall shows at the Devenish in Belfast.

“Everybody always said that my style suited the pros more than the amateurs,” explained Ham.

“The pro game is more technical, it’s not as much of a rush and I like that. And I know people like to watch me – I like to hurt people and as bad as that sounds but that’s what people want to see.”

“Josh Taylor has done well but I feel like I’ve made the transition pretty well too. Josh is leading the way at the moment but I feel like, after this fight, I’ll be not too far behind.”