Not backing down- Tommy McCarthy targets world champions Breidis and Makabu – Wlodarczyk a good Plan B

Tommy McCarthy {17(8)-2(1)] isn’t backing down, he wants a world title shot and he wants it next.

As soon as he collected EBU European title via victory over Bilal Laggoune last month, ‘The Mack Attack’ was straight on the front foot calling for a world title shot.

Indeed, the Belfast big man expressed a desire to fight the best cruiserweight out there dropped the name of three time world champ Marius Breidis.

It has since emerged the EBU have made big punching Pole Krzysztof Wlodarczyk , himself a recent WSSB participant and a two time world champ, as mandatory to McCarthy’s title.

There were suggestions Ireland’s 15th European champion would see it the fight as a perfect bridge to a world title, bank some more experience get a defence or maybe even two in, before going on to fight for world honours.

However, that isn’t McCarthy’s ideal scenario.

The 30-year-old admits he was happy to see such a high profile name made mandatory for a strap he holds, but he still wants a world tilt next.

“I was buzzing when I seen it,” he told Irish-boxing.com when asked about Wlodarczyk  before reiterating his world intentions.

“I want the world title next. Either Marius Breidis or Illunga Makabu. but if they don’t fancy it then Krzysztof is the perfect opponent. He’s a two time world champ so would be a great scalp for me.”

While he has expressed a desire to challenge either champion the popular figure hasn’t as of yet had any indications his wish will be granted.

“I haven’t heard anything about whats next but I’m looking for a world title fight.”

While he is keen to move up a grad, McCarthy has allowed the significance of the blue strap win to sink in.

Not only is his place in history secured, but it does a lot for him in the present.

“It feels great to be the champion. All my sacrifices and grafting is paying off,” he adds.

“I’ve written my name into Irish boxing history. I’m currently the only reigning European champion in the country so you’d have to say I’m leading the pack at the minute.”

Nigh on a week after his title victory, McCarthy confirmed it was achieved in spite of a broken hand.

The cast is now off and recovery is going according to plan.

“My Hand is getting there. The doctor said it was a nasty enough break but it had already started repairing itself by the time they put the cast on.

“The cast is off now and I’m wearing a removable splint which is great so I’m back doing treadmill sessions. I can’t punch for at least 6 weeks. When I go back for the review I’ll know more but it seems everything is going in the right direction.”