Interview: Marco McCullough "There is nothing like a good old Dublin/Belfast rivalry"

We speak to former Irish champion Marco McCullough about the ups and downs of his career and life in retirement. Thank you for your time Marco it is much appreciated. Enjoy!!

FN247:

What inspired you to first get into boxing? And who where your boxing heroes growing up?

MM: I was always into sport when I was growing up. There wasn’t a sport I didn’t have a go at. I won 3 world titles in karate growing up, I always thought I’d stay along them lines growing up, but my dad was a big boxing fan. My uncle ran a boxing club round the corner from my house growing up. So I went round to give it a go one night and just fell in love with the sport, I loved Prince Naseem growing up, and I loved all the old classic Mexican wars. Barrera, Morales. FN247:

Belfast is renowned for producing top class amateurs. What club did you fight with and what would you consider your main highlights in an amateur vest?

MM: As an amateur I fought for Cairnlodge, who was run by my uncle Tommy Waite and his father. Highlights of my amateur career was Poland I think I got a bronze in the European Union’s, beat by a talented lad Michael Maguire from England, that medal was one of a few that put me on funding from the Irish high performance team. FN247:

You turned pro in 2011 and after an early career defeat to underrated Dai Davies you maybe went under the radar a bit in Ireland. Do you feel this was to your advantage going into the Willie Casey fight and do you feel that they may of overlooked you at the time?

MM: Well I thought I won that fight against Dai Davies handy enough in my second fight. Just thought it was a bad decision. But looking back now it did help me to secure a few bigger fights from it. Willie Casey was never a featherweight but he could punch, I think they thought he would knock me out. FN247:

In 2016 you earned a shot at the Commonwealth title against Isaac Lowe on the Frampton/Quigg card. Although the result didn't go your way in a back and forth fight, you must look back with pride in being part of such a big show and an incredible atmosphere. What are your memories of the show and build up as it was filled with tension between the McGuigans and Hearn? MM:

Being part of the Frampton/Quigg undercard was great, even though the fight never went my way, the whole build up, the amount of home support, it was all great. These are great memories to have looking back and being part of it. FN247:

Another title shot came in 2017 against British champion Ryan Walsh. Again it was part of another big show featuring Gervonta Davis with Floyd Mayweather in attendance. In another close fight you came up short. Where was your confidence after this fight because although it was a defeat, Ryan Walsh has proven to be a top class fighter who is due a world title shot. Did you still feel you would go on to have the success you did have? To be honest in my career, I can honestly say all the fights that I lost, I lost them before even getting in the ring. The Ryan Walsh fight was the exact same, I was struggling making weight. With things that happened in camp. I was really weak going into the ring that night. I was dead on my feet, no disrespect to Ryan though, he’s a great champ and always seems to find a way to get that W. But even coming up to that fight. I’d just changed coach, and the new coach didn’t want any title fights for at least a year to try get rid of some bad habits i'd picked up. But it was hard to turn down a British title fight, and on a great card as well FN247:

You ended your career in 2019 and your final fight was in Belfast against Declan Geraghty. Going in it was considered a 50/50 affair but you dispatched Geraghty with a devastating KO. Do you feel it was the perfect way to end you career or is there a hint of disappointment as you where looking to be hitting your peak? The win against Deco was a great way to finish my career. Nothing like a good old Belfast Dublin rivalry, especially with him being so mouthy. But I felt I was just starting to peak with the different coach and everything was falling into place. But that’s life, somethings are just not meant to be. FN247:

You won several pro tiles during your career, including wins over former world champ Dmitri Kirilov and inbeaten Martin Parlagi. What do you look back on as the highlight of your career? Looking back now I probably have two highlights I enjoyed in my career, first one was winning the Irish title against Willie Casey, because I was really a nobody at the time. People thought it was way too early for me, and he’d a brilliant career. That helped me make a name for myself, I think I signed for Cyclone after that fight and my career started to take off. Another highlight was my first WBO European title fight with Martian Parlagi, he was an undefeated fighter, with most of his wins coming by KO, just because I had to really dig deep to get the win. I had him down early in the fight then he had me down and then I’d a really bad cut on my nose. And had to try and finish the fight smart to get the win. FN247:

With plenty to offer the new crop of fighters coming through in Belfast would you get into coaching and who in your opinion are the top prospects coming through in Ireland? MM:

I will eventually get into boxing again to help some kids coming through. But at the minute I’ve got a 2 year old, so all my time is put into her, when she’s up and about doing her thingy I’ll go back into boxing. There’s quiet a few I’m interested in watching coming through. I really like Gary Cully right now. He has really impressed me, another is Lewis Crocker. He’s just had his first step up and passed with flying colours. So I'm interested to see what’s next for him.