Tommy McCarthy v Mike Perez fight OFF
The chief support bout for next weekend’s Sky Sports bill at the SSE Odyssey Arena in Belfast has fallen through.
An exciting and intriguing cruiserweight clash between Lenadoon big man Tommy McCarthy [9(5)-1(0)] and former world-rated heavyweight Mike Perez [21(13)-2(1)-1] had been agreed for the Matchroom card, but now looks to have been pulled from the Ryan Burnett v Lee Haskins-topped show.
Rumours have been circulating over the past few weeks that the fight would not happen, and these were finally addressed last night by Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn.
Many felt it would be Cork-Cuban Perez, who has been a last-minute withdrawal from two cards in Ireland over the past few months, who would ensure the fight would not happen. However, Hearn would suggest that it was in fact McCarthy’s team who have forced the bout to be cancelled.
Hearn revealed on social media that McCarthy’s manager Pat Magee, after having agreed to the bout, has since pulled out.
The English promoter also claimed that Magee’s reasoning included fears that Perez would not show, that he has no visa, and that he is overweight – all of which were rebuked by Hearn.
While McCarthy is off the card, Hearn confirmed that Perez remains on the bill and that the fight is salvageable should McCarthy’s team be agreeable.
The undercard at present comprises of an Irish cruiserweight title fight between Luke Watkins and Ian Tims, Feargal McCrory v Paul Holt, James Tennyson v Ben Jones, Paul Hyland v Adam Dingsdale and appearances from Carl McDonald, Sean Magee, Matt Wilton, Tyrone McCullagh, Padraig McCrory, and Paddy Gallagher.
Tickets for ‘Belfast Boy’ on June 10th at the SSE Odyssey Arena cost £30, £40, £60, £100, and £150 (VIP), and can be bought from the boxers involved or HERE.
