Tommy McCarthy ready to challenge for the European title in Eddie Hearn’s garden
Tommy McCarthy [16(8)-2(1)] wants to fight for the European title on one of the proposed Matchroom summer cards.
Eddie Hearn will host four fight nights over four weeks over July and early August and the Belfast cruiser wants in.
‘The Mack Attack’ has secured a shot at the famous blue belt and is mandatory for the EBU European tile, he is now just waiting on a date and opponent to be confirmed.
The 29-year-old is hopeful he will get the chance to register the noteworthy win of his career live on Sky Sports this summer.
A keep busy or British level fight may still appeal to Matchroom, but ‘Big Tommy’ wants straight in at peak continental level.
“I don’t want to be taking any warm-up fights, I want to dive straight back in to a big fight and fighting in Eddie Hearn’s garden would be something else. I think it’s a great idea and I just want a date,” said McCarthy when speaking to David Kelly of the Belfast Telegraph.
“Credit to Hearn for coming up with the idea at this tough time. The fact that fights will have no fans there is not a problem. Coming through the amateur ranks you fight loads of times without any supporters. To be honest I think guys might even perform better because there will be less pressure – it will be a bit like a gym session,” he adds before revealing what an achievement European success would be.
“Winning the European title would be great for my career, it’s still such a prestigious title and gets you a world ranking with every world governing body. To win it in Eddie’s back garden would be something to look back on – it would be part of boxing history that people would be talking about for years.”
McCarthy is managed by Mark Dunlop, but has a working relationship with Matchroom and Hearn. In that regard it’s feasible he could appear on one of the Fisty Cuff at The Manor cards.
The current European champion is Matchroom favourite Lawrence Okolie, but it was assumed he would vacate to fight for a world title.
Whether or not that remains the case remains to be seen. McCarthy would love a shot at the Shane McGuigan trained Olympian, but Matchroom may feel that is one for world level or at least one where fans can be present.
The first of the four cards have been confirmed and there is no Irish interest in it. However, the last of the four looks likely to include fights for Katie Taylor and Jason Quigley.
