‘It was just a perfect shot’ – McCullough discusses brilliant knockout win

 

Like everyone in attendance at the Ulster Hall on Friday night Marco McCullough couldn’t wait to look back at the shot that won him his fourth Irish derby and blew new life into career.

Those in attendance at the famous venue were left confused when they saw Declan Geraghty drop to the canvas on the #MTKFightNight co main event.

Some ring side initially thought a clash of heads had the Dubliner out and without the benefit of ESPN+ or IFLTV replays were left bemused as to how the knockout transpired.

When asked to reflect on what turned out to be a perfectly timed and perfectly placed right hand post an IBF European rankings title win, McCullough seemed equally bemused.

The 29 year old was aware he landed sweetly on a sweet science advocate, but wanted to watch it back himself to see how it all transpired.

“It was great to be in the Ulster Hall again and to win with that shot. It was just a perfect shot,” McCullough explained.

“I hit him and I didn’t even feel it. I knew I landed with a right hand it just felt so smooth. I’ll have to go back and watch it, it happened that quick,” he adds before admitting not long before the knockout Geraghty had hurt him with a body shot.

“To be honest in that round he caught me with a body shot and I was kind of wincing and then I caught him.”

McCullough is known as one Irish boxing’s Mr Nice Guys and he shocked a few when he refused to shake ‘Pretty Boy’s’ hand at the weigh in on Thursday.

When talking about what his team expected from the two weight Irish National amateur champion in the aftermath to his win he may have given an indication as to why he elected to take an approach that is unusual to him.

The MTK fighter revealed he was wary of Geraghty fighting on the back foot for 10 rounds – and the refusal of his fourth Irish pro opponents hand may have been the first time we seen the Belfast fighter employ some mind games.

It’s quite possible the former British title challenger and Irish champion wanted to bait Geraghty into more of a fight.

“To be fair he was very sharp starting off we expected that, but as the fight goes on the dies down a wee bit. We didn’t want him to run because he is hard to catch.”

Friday night’s co feature was billed as a 50/50 cross roads fight and having won it McCullough should now head off down the more appealing path.

The unassuming super feather may get another big title opportunity off the back of the impressive and eye catching win, but as to what that is or what he wants McCullough wasn’t saying.

The 29 year old is aware of the significance on the win, but suggests only MTK really know where it will take him next.

“Boxing is just a crazy sport you have to be crazy to be in this sport. Who knows I will go back to it Monday and see what happens and what they say when they ring me.”

The Geraghty win was McCullough’s fourth over fellow Irish opponents and he admitted the domestic dust up is a helpful motivating tool.

The MTK puncher also made an interesting point with regard to how a busy Belfast scene is ideal for fight camp in terms of sparring.

“They help,” he responds when asked about the nature of domestic clashes.

“This is the best camp I have had. I had no injuries and everything went to plan. I’ll tell you what there are that many fights in Belfast over the next couple of weeks that sparring was great and a lot of southpaws,” he adds before revealing much to the delight of the most important ladies in his life, that he made weight the easiest ever for such an important bout.

“I had Tony O’Neill doing nutrition and it went perfect too. It’s the first time I looked ok on the scales. My Mrs and my Mum actually hate it because I look so sick on the scales this time I didn’t.”