Photograph: Russell Pritchard/Cyclone Promotions
Belfast featherweight Marc McCullough is ready to put aside the disappointment of having his April 4 title fight fall through when he meets Martin Parlagi on June 20. Marc is heading the ‘Waterfront Brawl’ show and hopes to finally get the WBO European featherweight belt around his waist at the expense of his undefeated opponent.
“I was devastated with my last fight and I got straight back into training and sparring a wee fella who was fighting in the Devenish last week,” explained McCullough.
“Watching Jamie (Conlan) come in to the changing room with a belt is what I wanted [to also have a WBO belt around the waist]. This is a great opportunity for me, in a great venue, with a good opponent so hopefully I can win it. He’s very strong with eight knockouts in 14 fights but there’s only one round on YouTube that I’ve seen so I just looked at his record. He’s a guy who wants to fight and that will help me to sell the tickets.”
Promoter Barry McGuigan says that his young fighter is happy to accept risky fights which makes matchmaking a whole lot easier. The former world champion views Parlagi as a tough test but knows that Marc has the ability to pull through.
“Marc’s last three fights have been stoppages and he is maturing. Parlagi doesn’t have anyone like Willie Casey on his record and the biggest killer for a professional fighter is inactivity. We think Lee Selby will go on and fight for a world title and he may not win it but in a couple of fights I’d be happy to put Marc on with Selby,” said McGuigan.
“McCullough is a world-class fighter and with regular opportunities we will keep going and give people value for money on exciting shows. Both of these kids [McCullough and Jamie Conlan] sell a load of tickets and they can carry kids along on their shirt tails. Conrad Cummings, for example, has a huge fan base in Mid Ulster and Coalisland. People will latch on to young fighters and travel with them, living the life and going on the journey with them to the top. We know that Belfast is a massive fight city.”
