McCullagh ready to go from toothpasting shoes to headlining shows with his partner in crime

As teenagers they terrorised their team mates, playing pranks and making mischief across the world.

Now Tyrone McCullagh and Tyrone McKenna will co-headline a pro show together and it promises to be trouble for their respective opponents.

The southpaw pair top a jam-packed Ginley Promotions bill in Belfast at the Devenish Complex on Saturday September 16th, with undercard support coming from Steven Ward, Marco McCullough, Gary Cully, Davey Oliver Joyce, Stevie Collins, and Anto Upton, with more to be announced.

Super bantamweight McCullagh [7(4)-0] believes it is the perfect way to top his first card and ‘White Chocolate’ told Irish-Boxing.com that “the only thing better than headlining your own show is co-headlining one with your best mate.”

“But I’m not surprised this has happened, we’re a package deal and we always have been.”

Looking back at their time in the amateurs, McCullagh recalls how “growing up together in the Irish team we were always referred to as ‘The Tyrones’ and if someone’s shoes got toothpasted or their gear set on fire etc we both got the blame! – ‘It was The Tyrones.'”

“A lot of people say we are trouble together and on September 16th they will be right because our opponents are in serious trouble. This is the Tyrone Show and nobody is ruining our party!”

It’s good progression for McCullagh, who featured on his big bill during the summer, and the Derry star can feel the momentum and buzz around his career building.

“I have my management at MTK to thank for that,” he states.

“Since signing with them earlier this year my career has took off – and a special mention to Mark Ginley and Ginley Promo for putting this fantastic card together!”

“Already my fans are buzzing for it and the atmosphere will be great at the Devenish.”

“I am very friendly with Tyrones mates as well and vice-versa so on the night of the fights I’m guessing they will all come together and make a lot of noise!”

“Of course with headlining there comes extra pressure but as amateurs we’ve fought for and won plenty of Irish titles on the same night, so we are used to it and will rise to the occasion.”

An opponent is yet to be confirmed for the 26 year old, but McCullagh has his eye on a minor belt.

The 2010 European bronze medalist explained how “I’m hoping for a good, tough fight and I’m expecting a step up in opponent without a doubt.”

“I’m thinking it’s going to be an eight rounder and my management are working hard on trying to get me a title fight for it which will be brilliant, it just depends if we can get an opponent to step up.”

McCullagh had previously called for a fight on the Burnett-Zhakiyanov October 21st undercard against the winner of the September 9th fight between Carl McDonald and Regan Buckley.

The Foylesider though isn’t getting ahead of himself now and admitted that “I’ll take it one fight at a time. Of course the Burnett bill would be brilliant to be on but for now my focus is on September 16th”