‘Big Tommy’ gets another big title opportunity

It was defined as a career changing upset win, a victory that would open doors for Tommy McCarthy [16(8)-2(1)].

They said the Sky Sports broadcast Italian job over Fabio Turchi would reinvigorate the talented, but sometimes frustrated, Belfast fighters career.

It seems they were right. ‘The Mack Attack’ has been handed another title chance.

The EBU board have ordered that the MHD fighter take on reinstated co challenger Nikodem Jezewski [17(9)-0-1] for the vacant EU strap.

The fighters teams have until November 30th to agree terms. If no agreement can be reached the clash then goes to purse bids.

It’s not quite the leap forward some suggested when McCarthy won the WBC International ranking title, but it is another step in the right direction.

The WBC representatives who attended the victory in Italy told the Belfast fighter he may be just two wins away from a world title shot. However, he didn’t replace Turchi in their newly released Top 15 – a redrafted ranking Mike Perez also dropped out of.

Also an EU title win wouldn’t suggest world title tilts will come in that ther promised time frame, but it is another positive step forward. McCarthy get’s the chance of another camp with Peter Taylor and another noteworthy but passable test. Not to mention claiming the blue belt would make him mandatory for one Laurence Okolie and his EBU European title.

Irish-boxing.com believes a number of interesting offers have come the way of the 28-year-old since last months win, but reports suggest his team are happy to survey the landscape and want to try and secure fights on McCarthy’s terms.

Jezewski started his career in Germany, but hasn’t fought outside of Poland since 2013. He is undefeated and boasts a solid record although he hasn’t fought in the same class as McCarthy.

“I’d rather try and push on for the world title shot. The belt is vacant and it’s not unrealistic to say your a win or two away from a world title shot, that’s what they were saying over there anyway,” McCarthy said after his Turchi win when speaking to Irish-boxing.com.

“I spoke a lot about Luke Keeler the last few months and I find myself in the same position as him now. We both have gone from nothing to being in the conversation, him more so than me at the minute, but I hopefully I can keep following the pathway.”