Tyrone McCullagh can be Ireland’s ‘next superstar’

Local professional boxer Tyrone McCullagh’s fledgling career looks set to go into overdrive after he was snapped up by one of the top promoters in UK Boxing.

The former Irish Senior champion has penned a three year deal with Goodwin Promotions and he is confident they can fast track his career towards title challenges in the years ahead.

McCullagh has just one fight under his belt in the paid ranks, a second round KO of Hungarian Tamas Laska in July, but his new paymasters’ extensive contacts in the sport means he is confident of staying busy in the future.

“It’s a long term deal so I’m delighted to get my future secured,” McCullagh told the Inish Times. “I was on the look out for a manager who can get me regular fights and Goodwin certainly fit that bill.

“Fingers crossed I can fight regularly now, it’s been a frustrating year and a half for me with just one fight since I decided to turn over but I want to try and get two fights in between now and Christmas and build from there.

“I still need to get one or two more four rounders under my belt before I can step up to six and eight round fights which will hopefully leave me ready to challenge for titles in the next year and a half.

“Clive Whitbred, my coach at Inishowen ABC, has contacts with Goodwin and I’m grateful to him for getting it all organised.”

As the only professional boxer from Derry City, McCullagh’s sport mad native city is crying out for a man to fill the void left by John Duddy’s retirement from the sport four years ago.

The Glen Road man is therefore keen to fight on these shores after making his debut in Cheshire but he admits he may have to be patient before making his home debut.

“The plan was to fight in Belfast on November 20th but that show is in some doubt now as Barry McGuigan is planning a show on the same night,” he explained.

“Goodwin run a show in the York Hall every six weeks so hopefully I can get on one of those bills if Belfast falls through. It’s a venue with a bit of history and it always has a good atmosphere so that would definitely be an experience to look forward to.

It’s a testament to how highly rated McCullagh is by this new bosses that they travelled from England to Inishowen to complete the signing and manager Steve Goodwin admitted they are looking forward to guiding the 24 year-old’s career.

“We are delighted to welcome Tyrone to our team,” he said. “We are not looking at a boxer here who’s main aim is domestic honours, we are looking at a super talent who can go onto the world stage and be Ireland’s next superstar.”

Meanwhile, McCullagh assumed the role of promoter himself at the weekend to help organise a Charity Fight Night in memory of his late brother Dean at the Delacroix Bar.

“It was a great tribute to Dean and it raised a lot of money for organ donation charities. I’d like to thank Sean McGill from Rathmore Warriors for training the boxers and Ring ABC for the use of the ring,” he added.