Tommy McCarthy handed Sky Sports title fight with ‘KO specialist’
Tommy McCarthy’s [12(6)-1(0)] clash on the ‘A Night To Remember Card’ in Belfast this weekend will now act as warm up for a Sky Sports broadcast title fight.
‘The Mac Attack’ takes on Jiri Svacina over eight rounds on the MHD Promotions bill at the Ulster Hall on Saturday and if, as expected, he comes through unscathed he will challenge for the WBA Inter Continental ranking title as early as March 2nd.
The Belfast crusierweight will fight Matchroom prospect Richard Riakporhe [8(7)-0] on a Jordan Gill-topped JDNXTGEN in Peterborough.
Eddie Hearn, who promotes Ireland’s two world champions Katie Taylor and TJ Doheny and has a close working relationship with McCarthy’s new manager Mark Dunlop, mppted the bout last week and officially confirmed it today.
New show! #JDNXTGEN heading to Peterborough March 2 live on @SkySportsBoxing@dazn_usa ! @_JordanGill v Dominguez for the @wbaboxingofficial International title, @_anthonysimsjr –@r_riakporhe v @tommymac90 – @itsLeighWood for Commonwealth title – @qais_ashfaq @johndoc234 & more! pic.twitter.com/1O6OV0MLpp
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) February 5, 2019
Riakporhe last fought in November on the Usyk-Bellew undercard where he scored an upset win over McCarthy’s Champ’s Camp team-mate Sam Hyde.
Down on the card, the Londoner was able to force an eighth round stoppage, with the towel coming in for Hyde who had suffered some quite gruesome damage around his eye.
This fight was the 29-year-old’s first major contest since turning pro in 2016.
The win saw Riakporhe pick up the title that will be on the line next month and he is currently ranked #13 with the organisation – offering the perfect motivation for McCarthy.
It’s massive news for McCarthy, the former top amateur endured a difficult 2017 and 2018 and fights for the second time since changing management this weekend.
Since teaming up with the MHD Promotions the 28-year-old has stated his desire to get back in an exciting British cruiser mix.
Delighted to announce I’ll be challenging for the WBA inter-continental title on March 2nd! Thanks @EddieHearn for the opportunity and @MARKHDUNLOP for making it happen Im not taking my eye off the ball for Saturday night! Can’t wait to get in and shine at the Ulster hall pic.twitter.com/s5CF5ZawPD
— Tommy McCarthy (@Tommymac90) February 5, 2019
The Commonwealth Games silver medal winner, who was forced to turn down a short-notice fight with British champion Lawrence Okolie in December due to a lack of sharpness and a slight knuckle injury, now gets his chance to put his name back in the British title mix.
Secure victory against Riakporhe and tv fights with the likes of Okolie, Isaac Chamberlain and even former Irish champion Luke Watkins become all the more likely.
