I’ll make the most of my chance to bounce back into the world's top-10, says Tommy McCarthy

Tommy McCarthy was beaten by Michal Cieslak in November

David Mohan

Despite losing out to European cruiserweight champion Michal Cieslak in November, Tommy McCarthy’s confidence is far from dented heading into Saturday night’s WBA Inter-Continental and British title eliminator against Cheavon Clarke.

That loss could have seen him completely drop down the pecking order, but he gets the chance to bounce right back against Clarke who has impressed in his seven wins from as many contests since switching from the amateur code where he enjoyed a fine career, firstly boxing for his native Jamaica before switching to GB.

As a rising star that has ticked the boxes to date, Clarke has arrived with a mean and almost dismissive frame of mind of McCarthy, branding him a “clown” when the Belfast man opined the visitor was taking on too much, too soon.

But ‘Mac Attack’ refused to take the bait, instead trying to get under the skin of his fellow 33-year-old and has said that should Clarke enter the ring thinking he will get it all his own way, then he will be punished accordingly.

The west Belfast man is now trained by friends and former pros Paddy Gallagher and Mark Ginley — both now full-time fitness coaches — and they have been putting him through his paces with increased cardio work on the track and the hills.

“This is the key to get back into the top-10 rankings in the world, so it’s all to play for,” said McCarthy. “There’s no issue with the rounds as I’ve been a 12-round fighter for years, but all the boxes have been ticked.

“If he comes in with no respect for me or my power, it will be detrimental for him. He will be well schooled as he had a good amateur career, but they are two different games.”

Year three as a pro begins for Kurt Walker as the Lisburn featherweight bids to make it 10 wins from as many fights when he faces Darwin Martinez over six rounds.

His Nicaraguan opponent who now resides in Slovakia may arrive with a fairly modest record of 8-17-2, but Belfast fight fans will know that masks how dangerous he can be as in September 2022, he forced Conor Quinn to settle for a draw.

“He’s got skills, so I just need to do what I do and beat him,” Walker agreed. “I just need to get out of here clean for what’s ahead as we have some big nights planned.”

Also in action, Limerick welterweight Paddy Donovan tangles with Argentina’s Williams Andres Herrera, while Conah Walker and Lloyd Germain meet in another welterweight clash.

Lightweights Giorgio Visioli and Samuel Pikire have a six-rounder, and Emmanuel Buttigieg returns to Belfast for his second pro outing when he faces Artjom Spatar.