No bubble trouble – Tommy McCarthy has ‘no beef’ with Johnny Nelson

Tommy McCarthy [17(8)-2(1)] assures there will be no bubble trouble if he bumps into Johnny Nelson later this month.

The former world cruiserweight champion caused some upset when he suggested the Belfast fighter had hit his ceiling just minutes after the ‘Mac Attack’ had been crowned European champion.

Nelson, a former holder of the title McCarthy buckled around his waist by defeating Bilal Laggoune in October of last year, told Sky viewers the Belfast fighter would struggle at world level.

“I think potentially he is better than what we seen tonight, but I think that is his ceiling, that’s his level,” said Nelson.

“Please prove me wrong and his fans that are saying your crazy, please prove me wrong,” he added before pointing out the reasons for his concern.

“I think that’s his level because he can’t start so slow against world class fighters, they’ll jump on him and break his heart.”

The comments upset McCarthy at the time, as well as his team and Irish fight fans, particularly after it emerged the MHD fighter managed to win the title despite going into the clash with a broken hand.

McCarthy makes the first defence of that title against Romanian Alexandru Jur on May 14 – and it’s quite possible the current and former cruiserweight European champions could bump into each other in the Matchroom bubble ahead Sky Sports broadcast card.

If they do there will be no beef assures the ever laid-back Pete Taylor trained fighter. ‘Big Tommy’ has no issue being the bigger man if need be, he claims Nelson, a product of Dublin man Brendan Ingle’s gym in Sheffield, has earned the right to express his opinion. However, the popular champ did cheekily warn he will hit back if he doesn’t agree with anything verbally fired his way.

“I don’t have any beef with Johnny Nelson,” McCarthy told Irish-boxing.com. “As a former world champion he’s earned his right to critique boxers. But if you talk sh it about me on tv and in media then I’m gonna talk sh it back. That’s how the game goes!”