Tommy McCarthy to challenge Lawrence Okolie? ‘Mack Attack’ made mandatory for EBU title

Things just continue to get better for a rejuvenated Tommy McCarthy [16(8)-2(1)].

The Belfast cruiserweight injected new life into his career with a WBC International title win over Fabio Turchi in Italy last month.

They said the Sky Sports broadcast Italian job would reinvigorate the talented, but sometimes frustrated, Belfast fighters career.

It seems they were right. ‘The Mack Attack’ has been handed another title chance.

Not long after the EBU board have ordered that the MHD fighter take on reinstated co challenger Nikodem Jezewski for the vacant EU strap, the governing body have upgraded him further and made McCarthy mandatory for the full EBU strap.

The European title is currently in the possession of Matchroom favourite Lawerence Okolie [14(11)-0] and as things stands he next has to defend against ‘Big Tommy’.

With McCarthy now having a relationship with Matchroom and Sky may want success for both. The promotional outfit may look at securing Okolie a world title shot, which would allow the former Irish amateur champion to fight for a vacant strap.

However, according to the EBU the fighters are in ‘private negotiations’, which suggests McCarthy could get a shot at the title and the Shane McGuigan trained name.

McCarthy was this week also confirmed in the WBC top 15, meaning he is world title eligible.

Speaking on social media, manager Mark Dunlop confirmed the 28-year-old has been made mandatory for the famous blue strap.

“I am delighted to announce that Big Tommy McCarthy is now the Mandatory Challenger for the EBU European Cruiserweight title and effectively two fights away from becoming Champion of the World. Dream big, work hard, take risks, make your own destiny!