McGuigan: McCullough proved he has the guts to for top level glory

MARC McCullough proved he is second to only one in the domestic super featherweight division with his gutsy display at the Waterfront Hall on Friday night, says promoter Barry McGuigan.

The Cyclone Promotion CEO watched as the Irish champion climbed up of the canvas, overcame a nasty cut on the bridge of his nose and the teak tough Solvak Martin Parlagi to claim the WBO European super featherweight title. The victory puts the Breen’s Gym puncher in the World top 15, meaning he is no eligible to challenge for  a world title.

However, ranking aside it was the manner in which it was achieved which proved which lead McGuigan to believe McCullough is destined for the top. The former World champion, who also promotes Carl Frampton, claims the win reaffirms outside Lee Selby McCullough is the best Britian or Ireland have to offer.

“You get to a level with talent and then you have to show a bit of bottle and he showed that tonight. He was dropped, he was hurt and cut and he got up and put in some fabulous rounds. I thought he was fantastic,” said the Clones Cyclone.

“I said that other than Lee Selby he is the best super featherweight in Britain and Ireland and he is one of the top featherweights in Europe and that has only been reinforced tonight.

“What that win has done has put him up into the World top 15. (British Champion) Josh Warrington doesn’t want anything to do with him and he certainly won’t after that performance. Parlagi beats Warrington, beats him bad, so we have to explore other options, but that is what we will do.” .