BELFAST’S TOMMY MCCARTHY is the new European cruiserweight champion after he earned a majority-decision victory over Belgium’s Bilal Laggoune on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk’s heavyweight bout with Dereck Chisora on Sky Sports Box Office.
The 29-year-old ‘Mac Attack’ was deservedly awarded the contest on scores of 116-112, 116-113 and 114-114, and in strapping the blue European Boxing Union (EBU) belt around his waist took a step closer towards a dream world-title shot.
The former Irish amateur standout started relatively slowly, perhaps dropping two of the opening four rounds, but had built a healthy-enough lead approaching the championship rounds that even a late burst from Laggoune wasn’t enough to get him close on two of the three cards.
I was a bout during which neither man was significantly hurt but both were exhausted: McCarthy fine body work in particular slowed Laggoune in the second half, but the awkward Belgian wasn’t without his own successes; he landed plenty of clean work of his own but was typically reactive rather than proactive, with McCarthy always evincing a sense that he was in charge of proceedings.
The West Belfast man did tire, too, in the later rounds, but having shipped a couple and endured his only real hairy moments, McCarthy sucked it up and produced a strong final verse to rubber-stamp his overall superiority.
It's fair to say @Tommymac90 is over the moon 😂👏 #UsykChisora pic.twitter.com/SGYdnR9mvj
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 31, 2020
“This means the world to me,” an elated McCarthy said post-fight.
I’m the European champ. I’m the roughest, toughest bad boy out of Belfast, and I’m the first black Irish European champion — Black History Month [in UK] as well.
“I don’t want to stick around in Europe. I want Maris Breidis next,” McCarthy added, referring to the Latvian IBF cruiserweight world champion.
"I want @BriedisMairis next!" 👀@Tommymac90 wants to go straight for a world title next after winning the European cruiserweight title! pic.twitter.com/6QGoF0HyrV
— Sky Sports Boxing (@SkySportsBoxing) October 31, 2020
In victory, McCarthy improved to 17-2 (8KOs), while Laggoune fell to 25-2-2 (14KOs) in defeat.
McCarthy is the 15th Irish professional boxer in history to hold a legitimate (EBU) European title, and the first black Irishman to win a professional title of its significance.
Spot on Farrell. This isn’t mind games, Wales are a great side and the game could really go either way this Sunday. Tightest game of the round by a long stretch.
@Ultan Corcoran: this is the worst Welsh team in 15 years.
@Chris Mc: completely untrue.. they managed two wins and a draw over two championships finishing 5th both in 2006 and 2007 six nations and were eliminated from the group stages in the 2007 WC. This welsh team is made up predominantly of players who have been to a world Cup semi final, some having been to two, and as recently as 2019 won the GS. Even Ger Gilroys lobsidded moustache knows this
@PScald: ger Gilroy from off the ball is always stoking the fire, looking for a reaction. Wales may of been playing very poorly but cannot be written off. Wreckon it will be a tight game. COYBIG!!!
@Anthony O Connell: GG is a self serving POS and a complete hack..
@PScald: agreed. I like off the ball besides him
@Chris Mc: Is there really such a thing as ‘worst’ in test rugby? I don’t think so anyway. I would really really hate it now if the Welsh were to beat us, and that isn’t sarcasm, it would just be painful for all those dismissing Wales on here in recent posts and their ability, in a 2-horse race over 80mins. Anything can happen. Again…tight game and hoping Ireland will get the win by 3-7pts.
@PScald: so worst team in 14 years then
@PScald: since gatland finished they have been poor. They do have some good players but like their club sides lack any direction and show very little substance. It the Ireland 23 want to win and dont shoot themselves in the foot we will win handy enough.
@Chris Mc: sure, I dont necessarily disagree but it’s not what you said originally.
@Patrick Breen: how about make these judgements on a team 2 years on from a grand slam and WC semi final after the tournament
@PScald: form changes quick, and they’ve had a very poor season, in a similar way to us in 2019, but worse
Ireland are at their absolute worst when we’re heavy favourites, and Wales have something to prove. We’ve also won four in a row against them, so there’s no way they’re not going to show up, especially at home.
@Anthony James McLaughlin: Heavy favorites? I think we’re 2 or 3 point favorites
@Ricky Wright: Oh I wasn’t going off the bookies odds, more just the tone of the rugby press and people on social media.
I hope sexton has the Corona vaccine. A man of his age is in the vulnerable bracket!!!!
@Kevin O’brien: good one…
@Kevin O’brien: Painfully unfunny, even by your standards kEvInNnNn
Whatever we think of Ger Gilroy, it is ridiculous to see so much energy wasted getting all pissed off about it. Radio show host makes comment most people disagree with. People getting irate over nothing. He made the headlines. Job done.
@Ricky Wright: his job is to make headlines? Sorry, I thought he was a sports presenter
@Ricky Wright: it was tongue in cheek they were slagging themselves over the same comment they made back in 2019 about
There is no doubt that wales are in a bad run of form and the coach is under serious pressure to keep his job for the future.
This is why he has gone back to his experienced players but I believe that those players are just past their sell by date.
They are still very good players but I think there best days are past them and their age has to be catching up with them
I’d like to see an improvement with the line out , maul and defence. Even if we don’t win the game tomorrow you could take comfort if you saw these areas improve.
I’m still sticking with my original comment , Ireland to win by a one score game .