Photograph: Cyclone Promotions
Coalisland bruiser Conrad Cummings is looking forward to showcasing the skills he has been busy developing during his London training camps on this evening’s ‘Waterfront Brawl’ show. Trainer Shane McGuigan is working hard on tweaking the talented middleweight into more of a thinking fighter than an all-out wrecking ball.
“I’ve worked extremely hard in training and left no stone unturned. I want to go out and enjoy the night, taking it round-by-round,” said Conrad who meets Lajos Munkacsi tonight.
“This guy’s decent, he’s fought 10-rounders. I didn’t even try to sell tickets and I’ve sold a couple of hundred, with people coming to me. I’m honoured that people are getting behind me and giving their support.”
One benefit of fighting across the water has been the consistently high quality of sparring that Cummings has enjoyed while training alongside Carl Frampton. Former world title challenger Andy Lee has been in the ring, as well as Kirk Garvey (a talented amateur on the cusp of turning professional), light-middleweight novice Aaron Morgan and Ted Cheeseman.
“I’ve been sparring with Andy Lee and some light-heavyweights as well as middleweights and amateur welterweights so I’m adapting through the variation. I’m still learning the game and there’s Andy Lee maybe fighting for a world title next so it’s good experience. I said that I can’t make light-middleweight but I will if it’ll get me a world title shot!”
Barry McGuigan is also impressed with the strides made by his fighter. Barry has been imploring the 23-year-old to master boxing at range behind the jab.
“I can’t believe the progress Conrad’s made,” said Barry. “He is really going to be an awesome middleweight and he’s had top quality sparring against light-heavyweights. We want to move Conrad on aggressively. It’s top-class stuff down the gym and you could charge to watch it. We are working on creating space, using the jab and working on the outside.”
“You can expect a stoppage because this guy’s a beast,” agreed Shane McGuigan.
