McVarnock plans to follow in stable mate Paul Butlers World title footsteps
MANCHESTER based Belfast fighter Ciaran McVarnock wants to emulate his Liverpudilan stable mate Paul Butler and go on to become champion of the World.
McVarnock is at present a novice and has a one fight at time mantra at present, but the undefeated Frank Warren fighter is dreaming big and hopes to one day buckle a World title around his waist.
The fighter, who makes his Belfast debut on February 7, admits being away from home is difficult, but claims a Manchester base is key to him progressing as a fighter.
The 22 year old featherweight believes the sparring he gets from former IBF bantamweight World champion and IBF super flyweight World title hopeful Paul Butler and the coaching from Arnie Farnell has and will help him progress as a fighter.
“I am still a novice in the game. I am still learning every day. I am at the beginning of my career, but I believe I am best placed to progress. The sparring is as good as any prospect can boast. Paul Butler is a World champion that has got everything and there is no better sparring than him. I’m getting the best of sparring and now I just have to bring that to the ring. Hopefully now I will be more active and I will move up those rankings quicker and progress fight by fight,” McVarnock told Irish-boxing.com.
“I’ll always have Arnie as a trainer so I have to be based in Manchester and here is where I’ll stay. It is the best place for me to build my career and follow in Paul Butlers footsteps. The plan is to become champion of the World.”
McVarnock might be quoting the obligatory ‘World champ’ line, but for 2015 his goals are a bit more pragmatic.
‘Bunty’ is has two fights lined up in the Spring and wants learning fights on a regular basis over the next 12 months.
“I am going to take it fight by fight over 2015. I have my home debut, which I am looking forward to and I have been told I’ll be on undercard of Butlers World title fight in Liverpool on March 6th. That is two fights just 5 weeks apart, which is great. I’ll just take fight by fight keep my head down in the gym, keep learning and fingers crossed be ready for title fight maybe 2016.”
Although he comes home on February 7, but he predicts most of his bouts will be across the water. However, the featherweight prospect won’t forget his roots.
“I’m based in Manchester , I live there, Anthony Farnell trains me there and that is where everything happens. Most of my fights will also be in England, but no matter what Ireland will always be my home. I’m not a Manc! I’m proud to be Irish and it will stay that way no matter what. The guys in the gym don’t call me by name they all call me ‘Irish’. I want as many fights as possible in Ireland, I would fight every weekend if there was a show back here in Ireland no matter if it was North or South , but there are better opportunities in England and I am signed to Frank Warren.”
