‘Buzzing like a bumble bee’ – McCarthy ready to sting ‘Stone Crusher’ with best ever display

Tommy McCarthy [15(8)-2(1)] is confident he will put in a career best display on top of a Sky and DAZN broadcast bill this Saturday night.

The Belfast crusierweight challenges the undefeated Fabio Turchi [17(13)-0] for his WBC International rankings title in Trento, Italy.

Unbeaten ‘Stone Crusher’, who was scheduled to face McCarthy in Rome back in July but was forced out through injury, returns to the ring for the first time since April of this year. The southpaw was last seen destroying Sami Enbom in the first-half of round one, claiming the vacant title in his home-town of Florence in the process.

Since suffering the second defeat of his professional career against Richard Riakporhe earlier this year, Belfast’s ‘The Mack Attack’, has won two on the bounce inside the distance, most recently stopping Francesco Cataldo in round two in Rome.

‘Big Tommy’, who has moved his training to base to Dublin and is now working with Pete Taylor, believes the Italian is up there with the best he has fought, yet remains adamant he will produce his best ever pro performance to register victory.

“I’m predicting a win and career best performance from myself,” McCarthy told Irish-boxing.com before hinting at the game plan.

“I’m expecting him to take the centre of the ring and try to walk me down, which will be great because I’m the best counter puncher on the road.”

It’s a massive fight for the 28-year-old. Not only will the title boost his ranking in an extremely exciting division, both at British and world level, but victory on such a platform should open doors to fights with more of Matchroom’s known crusiers.

The father of four is first is aware of what a victory can do career wise, but claims he first and foremost wants to do it for his four girls.

“I’m buzzing like a bumble bee for this fight. I love being in big fights and being on TV. Plus this is my first time topping a bill on tv, so I’m very excited. A win will make my kids proud and open the doors for bigger opportunities,” he adds before discussing his opponent briefly.

“He’s definitely as good as anyone of the big names I’ve fought.”

Having missed a big chance against Riakporhe, a fight which came after a frustrating few years of sporadic activity, some might be tempted to suggest the pressure is now on the Mark Dunlop managed fighter to deliver.

However, the fighter himself is in relaxed mood. McCarthy explains it’s not a do or die clash and although he doesn’t expect to lose is adamant a defeat won’t be disastrous.

“A loss would be a set a back but not the end. That being said, I’m not thinking about losing.”

There was talk that the fight would be for the EU strap, a title that would open doors for an EBU tilt. Indeed, the EBU ratified the pair to fight for the secondary Continental strap, but there has been no mention of the title in the build up.