Check out my new website on www.ultimateboxingresults.com
Exclusive Interview with former WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion
Wayne McCullough – 33 Fights 27 Wins 6 Losses 18 wins by stoppage
12 Rounds with Wayne McCullough
1) What is the highlight of your boxing career ?
A lot of people think that winning the Olympic medal in 1992 was the highlight of my career but I have to say it was definitely winning the World Title in 1995.
2) Will there ever be a Wayne McCullough v Oscar Larios 3 ? And do you still have plans to box on ?
I’d love to fight Larios again. Many people – including the commentators of the fight – thought I did enough to win the first one. He got the second one. I’d go up to featherweight to fight him again. Of course, I plan to fight again. I’m just waiting for the call!
3) Do you have any regrets in Boxing ?
Not really. I believe everything happens for a reason but I’d have kept my eyes open along the way instead of trusting people who ended up taking me for granted.
4) If you were offered one million pounds cash in hand or a world title shot in the location of your choice which would you take, if the fight which location and who would be the ideal opponent ?
Honestly 5 or 10 years ago I wouldn’t have thought twice about this answer. I would have said “I’ll take the fight”. But now, since I’ve been screwed out of so much money throughout my career, I would take the money.
5) You have only ever been stopped once in your professional career in your last fight against Larios, I saw the disappointment your face when the doctor pulled you out, looking back could you have done another two rounds or did she get it right ?
I didn’t find out until a newspaper ran a story 6 months after my second Larios fight, that Freddie Roach had stopped the fight – not Dr Goodman. I blamed her all that time when in fact the trainer who had worked with me for less than a week for my fight, advised the Dr and the referee to stop it – but didn’t have the guts to tell me.
I am a very strong finisher. I know I got hit but I always do. So I don’t understand why he stopped me. I could see that Larios was wilting and all I needed were those last 2 rounds. With my pressure maybe I’d have been able to wear him down. I can’t say I’d have won but it was a world title fight so I should have been given the chance.
6) Which of your own fights so far have you enjoyed the most ?
Going to Japan to fight in the hometown of the reigning World Champion and taking his belt away from him.
7) What is you favourite fight you haven’t been involved in ?
Castillo v Corrales I
Who do you think is the best pound for pound boxer around today ?
Without a doubt my opinion is Floyd Mayweather Jr
9) How would you like to be remembered for your boxing career ?
I’ve never been stopped by a fighter. I’ve never been on the canvas. I’ve always fought the best – maybe I didn’t beat them but at least I didn’t dodge them! I’m old school.
10) You were World Champion only 2 years after turning professional do you think fighters are held back too much these days having 20-30 fights before they get a title shot ?
I think some of today’s fighters are held back a little too much. There are so many belts and versions of titles out there but yet many fighters still seem protected. I fought for the WBC belt in 1995 when there really only were 3 major belts to fight for.
11) You have been in with all the best fighters in the world at your weight who is the toughest guy you have ever been in a ring with ?
Erik Morales
12) You won a Silver Medal in the Olympic Games in 1992 did you ever think about hanging around for the 96 games to get yourself a gold medal, or was the financial pull too strong ?
I was a very well paid amateur from 1990-1992 by the Olympic Council of Ireland. But after the Olympics it was common knowledge that I was going pro. That was something I’d wanted since I was 15 years old. So even though the Olympic Council approached me with an offer I couldn’t refuse of double what I had been getting, I was going pro. Nothing was going to stop me.
Thanks Wayne for some great answers, we look forward to seeing you in the ring again soon
Thanks John
