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Sean McGlinchey ready for ring return after almost walking away


A sequence of unfortunate events not seen since Lemony Snicket saw Sean McGlinchey [2(0)-0] close to retirement on more than one occasion over the last year and a half.

The Derry middleweight endured a hellish time since last summer and has not fought since July 2018, with three separate fight dates falling through and more than his fair share of drama outside the ring.

Illness forced McGlinchey to pull out of a Celtic Nations title fight with Ger Healy last October and his scheduled participation into Ireland’s Last Man Standing was scuppered when his licence was suspended by the British Boxing Board of Control. A comeback on the JB Promotions ‘The Beginning’ card was next up but this too was shelved for the frustrated McGlinchey.

The Commonwealth bronze medallist admits he lost focus during that period especially when it seemed like some were trying to ruin his career, but claims the pain of seeing some big Belfast fight nights motivated him to return.

McGlinchey will make his return at the Titanic Exhibition Centre on Friday October 5th and is delighted to be back.

Speaking to Irish-Boxing.com, ‘Mummy’s Bhoy’ revealed just how hard things got for him.

“When I was out it was really frustrating. At times I never thought it was going to happen for me. A few times I felt like hanging the gloves up,” the Creggan fighter explained.

“Honestly, at times it was really tough, especially watching people progressing and moving up. It was also really hard to watch Windsor Park but in a way it kept me fousced on what could be in front of me.”

“At times the focus was lost when seemed like people were there to try and stop me from getting back in the ring.”

The Derry fighter’s problems didn’t just resolve around injury. He had issue with an internet troll who almost cost him his career, with the anonymous onlooker allegedly persuading the BBBoC to suspend his boxing licence.

After a fall out with the British board the entertaining fighter will now fight under the BUI and with a Boxing Union of Ireland license.

“The injury was about a year ago, the injury that occurred was cleared up and cleared by my own doctor in December 2017. I have now left the British Boxing Board of Control and have took my license up with Boxing Union of Ireland.”

All those problems are in the past now for McGlinchey and he is just excited about a return to the ring.

Considering the sabbatical, the southpaw is keen to get busy but knows there is some ring rust to be shaken off.

McGlinchey admitted that “I am absolutely buzzing to be back in the ring. I can’t wait to just get in there now,”

“At the minute my plan is to get possibly three four round fights in before the end of the year. Then I will be looking to step up to six and rounds in the new year and take it from there,” he added before discussing things at 160lbs.

“My weight come title time will be middleweight. The middleweight division in Ireland to world level is a very tight division but I feel I will fit in comfortably with some big fights down the line and plenty of titles to follow.

After over a year out, McGlinchey would most likely have been happy to return in a four round show in a barn.

However, it seems he has received some well deserved luck and comes back on a TV card that is topped by another Derry man in BBBoC Celtic super bantamweight champion Tyrone McCullagh.

“It’s great to see Tyrone headlining the show and it’s a privilege to box on the undercard.”

“It makes it more exciting as it’s a TV card on BoxNation. I am not too sure at the minute if I will make TV but hopefully they will show some of my fight.”

“Since announcing I was back in the ring the support from Derry has been unreal, even when I wasn’t in the ring it was great. I would encourage all boxing and sports fans to come along and support the local Derry men in the show.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@thefIrish)

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