Perfect – Sean McComb aims to make Féile jump

Sean McComb [7(4)-0] believes Renald Garrido [24(6)-24-3] can push him up the rankings and push him in the ring this Saturday night.

The European Games bronze medallist and Commonwealth Games team captain has made an explosive start to pro life and has become regarded as one of Irish boxing’s best prospects.

He has passed what were deemed relatively difficult early tests with the same ease, confidence and style as Xabi Alonso used to the pass the football.

Indeed, after breezing past Zoltan Szabo and Troy James then stopping a fighter that dropped recent European title challenger Paul Hyland Jr, Miroslav Serban, inside a round, fight fans were curious as to what could be next for a relative novice who looks advanced in his schooling. 

French entertainer Garrido seems the perfect next move. A genuine test for fringe domestic and ranking title level fighters, an entertainer with big stage experience, and a Frenchman who knows how to sell a fight.

McComb agrees the former Tyrone McKenna foe is a good step up and believes he faces an opponent who can give him valuable rounds as well as increase his profile and ranking.

“I’m happy with another step up from my last fight. My last opponent was 11-2 and I wasn’t sure I’d knock him out. Garrido is someone who can push me up the rankings a bit more and give me the full eight rounds,” said McComb.

‘The Public Nuisance’ is now talked about as one to watch and a fighter that could bring serious success to Ireland in the future, but his sole focus is on this weekend. 

The Turf Lodge fighter doesn’t spin off the well trotted ‘I can’t look past this opponent’ line, rather he is determined to live in what he believes will be a very enjoyable moment come Saturday.

“I probably said this about fighting at Windsor Park and when I fought in Boston but this genuinely is a dream come true!

“Being on such a massive event like this means everything. This is something I dreamed of growing up so for it to be happening and to be involved in it is unbelievable.

“It’s huge for Belfast boxing. There’ll be over 10,000 people there and the majority of them will be from west Belfast. I know there are also people coming from down south and flying in from Liverpool, Glasgow and places like this.”

“When all is said and done, it’ll be hard to top this event.”

“For me, I’m going in with the mindset of just enjoying it. I’m going to soak it all up and enjoy every minute of it.”

The Top Rank bill is topped by Michael Conlan vs. Diego Alberto Ruiz for the WBO & WBA Inter-Continental featherweight titles with two further title fights in Paddy Gallagher vs. Chris Jenkins for the British & Commonwealth welterweight crowns and Padraig McCrory vs. Steve Collins Jr for the Celtic super-middleweight belt offering support.

Meaningful middleweight match-ups in Luke Keeler vs. Luis Arias and Alfredo Meli vs. Araik Marutjan also feature, with the likes of McComb and Olympic hero Paddy Barnes bidding to light up the undercard.