Shortty Carroll believes now is his chance to “prove I’m one of the best”
Stephen Carroll [7(1)-0] is officially back and believes he will look better than ever in 2018.
The Ballyfermot fighter surprisingly hung up his gloves just months after claiming one of the Irish wins of the year – standing in at short notice to defend his Celtic Nations title against Scottish champion Eddie Doyle in Motherwell.
The light welterweight had to fit training around a full time job and despite two impressive away performances – having won the belt last November in Belfast against Jamesy Gorman – he felt work was preventing him from training and performing to the best of his ability.
As a result, he retired at the tender age of 25. However, Carroll officially came out of retirement yesterday as MTK announced him as their latest signing.
The undefeated Dubliner revealed the MTK set up now enables him to focus only on boxing and as a result believes he will show improvements in the ring in 2018.
“I am over the moon and delighted to be back at it with bigger and better things to look forward to,” Carroll told Irish-Boxing.com.
“I will train full time now. This means there is no more half doing it. I will always stay ready. I knew it wasn’t my time to stop I have loads to give.”
‘Shortty’s’ MTK announcement came alongside that of Sean Creagh, a fighter he has been linked with for over 18 months.
The Ballyfermot man claims his Tallaght rival wasn’t mentioned during MTK talks, but much like Creagh, feels the fight is inevitable.
“It wasn’t said to me [about Creagh] but I have a feeling they shared it at the same time because they have that fight as a possibility. It’s just something else I can look forward too.”
“We can make these big fights happen and I’m looking forward to them. I want to be the best and now I have the chance to prove I’m one of the best. This will be my time to shine,” he added before outlining his 2018 plans.
“My plans for 2018 is to get a few fights hopefully on big cards and packed shows and a title by this time next year.”
Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography
