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‘What did TJ expect?’ – McCullagh talks Doheny call outs

What did TJ Doheny expect after he won a world title? – asks Tyrone McCullagh.

The Derry man claims the IBF super bantamweight world title win put a target on Doheny’s back and being a hungry fighter he was always going to take aim.

The BBBofC Celtic champion wasn’t long about calling out the Portlaoise fighter after he rose to prominence with a brilliant victory over Ryosuke Iwasa in the Land of the Rising Sun and the pair proceeded to share some back and forts via social media and the press. 

Not one for too much talk, Doheny took exception to the boxing nurse’s calls for the fight, possibly knowing the big things awaited in the form of a Matchroom contract and a massive unification bout with Danny Roman.

However, McCullagh who claims the fight is still a long term goal, says ‘The Power’ should have known a call out was coming his way.

“I think he’s a bit sick of me mentioning his name now, but what did he expect he’s world champion, Irish and with MTK of course I’m going to call him out,” the lighter, most of the time, of the Two Tyrones explained to Irish-Boxing.com.

The tricky southpaw also points out his calls for a fight were done in the right way and takes the ‘he started it’ stance when revealing why things got heated.

“I never  disrespected him until he started disrespecting me.  All I ever said was I’d love to fight him.”

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The fight, which was mooted as a potential first ever all Irish world title match up looks unlikely to happen in the near future.

Doheny, Ireland’s only reigning male world champion, faces the well known Danny Roman in Inglewood live on DAZN and Sky Sports in an eye catching unification clash on April 26.

Irish victory there would put further distance between the pair, but McCullagh, who fights for the first time this year in the Ulster Hall this Friday night, still hopes his managerial stable mate adds the WBA title to the IBF crown he already proudly displays.

“It all seems to have died down a bit now. He’s got the unification with Roman, that should be a great scrap! I honestly hope he does it,” he adds before revealing he isn’t giving up hope.

“[MTK Global] know what I want and that fight is easily made, but things can change very quickly in boxing. TJ has Roman now and I’ve my own route to go down, but if we both keep winning then I’d say it’s a big possibility. But that’s a big if and I’m just focused on Friday night for now and again I hope TJ does win.”

Whilst the 28-year-old was calling out Doheny, he was given a taste of his own medicine by Carl McDonald.

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The Irish champion’s team wanted a crack at the BBBCofC Celtic and WBO Europe champion, but the Derry man suggests fighting the Dub would be a step back. He would however move up in weight to face Boxing Ireland promoter Leonard Gunning if that was put on the table!

“Again no disrespect to Carl but no, I think we are at two completely different stages career-wise. The fight wouldn’t benefit me in any way although I heard he was unlucky at the weekend, fair play.”

“I’ll fight his promoter Gunning if he fancies it though!”

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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