Two time world champion made mandatory for Tommy McCarthy and his European title

Two time cruiserweight world champion Krzysztof Wlodarczyk [58(39)-4(1)-1] has been made mandatory for the European title currently owned by Tommy McCarthy [17(8)-2(1)].

‘The Mack Attack’ became Ireland’s 15th blue belt winner by defeating Belgian Bilal Laggoune on the last day of last month.

The 30-year-old should be allowed a voluntary defence next, but once that’s out of the way he have to fulfill his mandatory obligations if he wants to retain the title.

That in turn means he will have to defend against the experienced and decorated Pole.

Wlodarczyk won the European title as far back as 2005 a year later he defeated Stevie Cunningham to become IBF world champion.

Cunnigham claimed victory in the rematch, but four years later the Polish fighter had his hands on another world title. This time Wlodarczyk defeated Giacobbe Fragomeni to claim the vacant WBC world title. The experienced operator had six successful defences over four years before Grigory Drozd ended his reign.

He returned to world level when he unsuccessfully challenged former unified world champion Murat Gassiev for the IBF strap in the World Boxing Super Series in 2017.

Five wins and three years later and the now 39-year-old is in European contention.

After claiming the EBU belt McCarthy made it clear he wanted a world title next, but the Pole may be a good option.

It’s more experience against a fighter who knows what it’s like to operate at world level, but at 39 may have his best years behind him.