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Tyrone McCullagh hoping to catch Eddie’s eye after coming up the hard way

He won a major international medal, European bronze in 2010, but Tyrone McCullagh [6(4)-0] turned pro with relatively little fanfare.

Rather than the big cards and the bright lights, the Derry super bantamweight has spent the past two years on the small halls away from the TV cameras, but that will all change next month.

It was confirmed yesterday that McCullagh, and his lunatic band of fans, will make an appearance on the big Matchroom card at the SSE Odyssey in Belfast on June 10th.

It’s just deserts for ‘White Chocolate’ who has made a flawless start to his career and who has stepped up his level of opposition in recent times.

“In a way I feel it is a bit of a reward for my hard work over the last two years,” McCullagh admitted when talking to Irish-Boxing.com about the fight date on the Burnett-Haskins undercard.

“I’ve had to do it the hard way compared to others. I haven’t had the best of luck with getting regular fights and that.”

“But I’ve just signed with MTK a few months and they’ve already got me on a show like this which is brilliant and hopefully the start of things to come.”

McCullagh has a particularly notable support who regularly make the trip across Ulster from Derry to Belfast, and he is looking forward to a big turn-out next month

The southpaw noted how “it’s a bit early to say yet but there’s been a lot of people on to me already and, with it being a massive bill in the Odyssey, hopefully I’ll have another huge crowd.”

“They love a session and it’s great hearing them when I’m walking out and during my fight.”

In terms of opponent, it’s unlikely that the ambitious McCullagh will be slung into a high stakes fight, but the Foylesider is up for anything.

He reasoned that it “is up to my team and matchmaker. I’ll fight whoever is in front of me.”

“I’ve a feeling this might be a six rounder though because I’ve still yet to go six rounds – although I’m not sure, I’ll see what happens.”

Irish fighters, such as Luke Keeler, who appeared on Matchroom undercards over the years have caught the eye of Eddie Hearn and been brought back for further shows. McCullagh acknowledges this and wouldn’t mind grabbing the attention of the English promoter.

McCullagh outlined that “I just hope to impress my team to start with, that’s the main thing.”

“Hopefully, if Eddie is watching and I box well, it’ll do no harm for him to remember me when future shows come up… or if Quigg needs a fight!”

The undercard of the Burnett-Haskins bill on June 10th currently features Feargal McCrory, Matt Wilton, Padraig McCrory, Paul Hyland Jr, James Tennyson, Sean Magee, and Paddy Gallagher.

Tickets cost £30, £40, £60, £100, and £150 (VIP), and can be bought from the boxers involved or HERE.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill on Episode 4 of The Irish Boxing Show

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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