Unbeaten super-bantamweight Tyrone McCullagh hopes to reward deafening support at MTK Global’s Belfast show with victory in his European title fight.

‘White Chocolate’ (11-0-KO6) climbed off the canvas to cruise to the Celtic crown against Joe Ham last time out and is relishing the prospect of even more noise when he takes on Josh Kennedy for the WBO European belt at the Titanic Exhibition Centre on October 5.

McCullagh said: “I’m very lucky to have a great following from both Derry and Belfast. Everyone gets behind me when I fight and I’m very grateful for that.

“It should be a jam-packed arena and I’m relishing that. The atmosphere picks me up a level or two – I know that from the noise when I fought Joe Ham. There was no chance I wasn’t getting up!

“The noise carried me through the fight; especially in the later rounds. When you hear them, it really gives you a lift.”

As he prepares to take another significant step up in facing a fellow unbeaten fighter in Kent’s Kennedy (11-0-KO5), McCullagh knows he’ll need to keep improving if he’s to climb to the very top.

The 27-year-old southpaw said: “The belt means a lot to me but boxers always want bigger and better belts. It’s great to have it on the line but the main thing is a big step up in opponent. I feel ready.

“Winning the Celtic title was an unbelievable feeling but it’s just a minor title in the grand scheme of things. In boxing, you always want more. When I was young, I thought I’d be happy with a national title but once I’d done that, I wanted more and more.

“I’ve seen a few clips of Kennedy and he seems big and strong but I’m very confident in my own ability. You have to beat these kind of lads if you want to make it to the top.

“If I can’t beat Kennedy, I’m going to have to take a long, hard look at myself.”

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Unbeaten Super-Lightweights Jack Catterall and Tyrone McKenna will collide in Belfast on June 30 after McKenna’s original opponent Phil Sutcliffe Jr suffered an injury.

News of Sutcliffe Jr’s withdrawal was quickly followed by confirmation that Lancastrian Catterall (21-0, 12 KO’s) will put his WBO Intercontinental belt on the line in a colossal bout with McKenna (16-0-1, 6 KO’s) at The SSE Arena.

Far from complaining about facing such a high-quality replacement at four weeks’ notice, home fighter McKenna has welcomed the opportunity to pit his wits against a former sparring partner.

McKenna said: “When I heard Sutcliffe Jr was out again my heart sank but then I was told Catterall was in and it’s amazing. I’ve wanted that fight for 18 months.

“It’s extra motivation for me in camp now. Catterall is a massive name. I sparred him and I speak to him so I know what he brings to the table.”

Catterall is equally excited to be on another big stage after his recent outing at Elland Road ended in an underwhelming early victory, when opponent Christopher Sebire appeared to sustain a shoulder injury.

Catterall said: “I’ve only had two rounds in the ring this year but I knew sooner or later I would be involved in a big fight. I was expecting a different opponent but this makes perfect sense.

“I fought just two weeks ago and it wasn’t much of a fight so this is brilliant. I’m in shape anyway and Tyrone was training. Both camps and both fighters want it and that’s great to see.”

Tickets for The Homecoming are available to purchase now via www.ssearena.com

By Frank Warren Promotions