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From personal problems to personal mission – Cummings determined to return to his best

 

Conrad Cummings [16(7)-3(0)-1]plans to reward his loyal support with an improved and more professional performance as he continues along the path back to his best on October 11.

The Tyrone fighter has shaken things up since his second successive defeat to now world title hopeful Luke Keeler in March – and is confident in time he will return to the kind of form that had Irish fight fans extremely excited earlier in his career.

The general fight fan may not have held that level of confidence post the WBO European ranking defeat to ‘Cool Hand’, in fact Cummings questioned himself at times.

However, ‘Mr Dynamite’ has found his fans supportive post what was a heartbreaking third career defeat and revealed that fan support helped him maintain his motivation levels in what was a very difficult personal time.

The former amateur of note, who was nigh on a must watch during his WSB spells, wants to reward them with a performance to shout about on the #MTKFightNight.

My loyal supporters can expect a more professional sharper and better Conrad.

“They have been my motivation,” he explained to Irish-boxing.

While he is predicting a return to form, Cummings still believes it will be some time before he reaches peak levels again.

The 28-year-old, who comes out favourably in some big name sparring stories, is now working with Gerard McManus down at Glean ABC and suggests there are some strides to be made before he reaches his peak.

“I just need to get everything bang on and show my true potential. Did I questioned boxing? Yes. But Gerard McManus reached out to me and I haven’t looked back since.

“It’s one fight at a time at the minute, but when I get the win on October 11th I have no doubt big nights and fights lie ahead. I have plan laid out with my team, but I’m taking one day at a time and enjoying the process of getting back to my very best.

“I want solid opponent to give my good rounds and get the ring rust off, then we look to get back in the belt mix.”

conrad cummings

Cummings is not back to his best just yet, but the Coalisland fighter is enjoying the new journey and is a much better place now, than he was both pre and post his last reverse.

The middleweight admits he was felt down post the March defeat and is open and honest with regard to the fact he had personal issues leading into the fight.

“I’m buzzing for my return now. I’ve had a tough few months with everything, a lot of things going on in my personal life, but things are great at the minute. The buzz is back especially with a date ahead to look forward to,” he adds before looking back.

“I was gutted obviously after the second lose to Keeler. I got beat fair and square, but I know I can be much better.

“A few things went wrong in the fight and that nasty eye wasn’t ideal, but once again I am not taking nothing away from Luke he won fair and square.

“I did take 12.3lbs off the night before the last fight and my ex Mrs, or  ex fiancée , was in the process of leaving me, so being totally honest my head was up my ass. But all that doesn’t matter it was Luke’s night.”

 

 

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

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