Tommy McCarthy hails ‘Boxing genius’ Pete Taylor going into massive Sky fight
The ‘boxing genius’ that is Pete Taylor will not only help Tommy McCarthy [15(8)-2(1)] record important victory in Italy tomorrow night, but ensure the crusierweight fulfills his potential long term.
That’s the view of ‘The Mack Attack’ himself, as he prepares to register a break through win live on Sky Sports and DAZN broadcast clash tonight.
‘Big Tommy’ heads to Italy where he fights Fabio Turchi [17(13)-0] for a WBC ranking title on the top of a Matchroom bill. It’s a massive chance to break back into the crusierweight reckoning, an opportunity he is really confident of taking and a fight he feels he is more likely to win under the guidance of Taylor.
Indeed, the 28-year-old believes he is now working under a boxing genius in the father of fight sensation Katie Taylor.
“It’s went brilliant,” McCarthy says of camp.
“The team is all great fellas, the sessions are world class. It’s been very tough and high intensity. Pete is a boxing genius,” he adds before revealing what particulars they have been working on improving.
“Pete made a few subtle changes to how I was standing, for better balance. We’ve also been working on my foot work and domination through smart boxing.”
The Belfast fighter is used to traveling between fights. He is a regular sparring partner in camps around the world and initially trained under Ensley Bingham in England. Upon signing with MHD Promotions, who have returned him to regular action, he worked in the Kronk in Belfast, but felt being at home wasn’t conducive with regard to getting the best out of himself.
As a result he sought a change and when he seen Luke Keeler beat Luis Arias at the Falls Park in early August he knew there was only one place he wanted to go.
“I wanted to train outside of Belfast and get out of my comfort zone,” he continues.
“I had been thinking about working with Pete for a long time but I didn’t because everything was sweet so I didn’t wanna’ rock the boat. Then after Turchi pulled out [the pair where meant to fight earlier this year] I watched Keeler in the Park and his performance was brilliant.
“I said to myself ‘I wanna bring my game up to that level’. It was a case of make the move now or never, make the small sacrifice and base my training in Dublin to give myself the chance to fulfill my potential.”
Turchi (17-0 13 KOs), who was scheduled to face McCarthy in Rome back in July but was forced out because of injury, returns to the ring for the first time since April. The southpaw was last seen destroying Sami Enbom in the first half of the opening round to claim the vacant WBC International cuiserweight title in his hometown of Florence.
Belfast’s Tommy McCarthy, who suffered the second defeat of his professional career against Richard Riakporhe earlier this year, has won two fights since, most recently stopping Francesco Cataldo in the second round in Rome in July.
Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing said, “It’s great to be returning to Italy on October 11 for another great night of boxing. We’re working hard to continue to promote and grow the sport in the region, and this will be our seventh show since we began Matchroom Boxing’s Italian venture, which shows you how successful it has been. The night falls on a great few days of sport in Trento, so we’re expecting one of the best atmospheres we have seen in Italy to date.”
