Wayne McCullough drinks deeply from Prizefighter's last chance saloon

I have to admit, I nearly fell off my chair. I had just come off a twelve hour shift and I sat down to watch the latter end of 'Prizefighter, Cruiserweights II.' During a break between fights they announced the next Prizefighter show. This time it would be 'The Super-Bantams, featuring Wayne McCullough.'

McCullough will be by far the biggest name ever to appear in the Prizefighter series and this shock was compounded even more by the fact many considered him to be retired after his stoppage defeat in June 2008 to Juan Ruiz. We had all thought we had seen the last of 'The Pocket Rocket'. This however does not seem to be the case.

Despite the concerns over Wayne's health due to his advancing years (he is now 39) and numerous wars against his generations greatest fighters, McCullough does not need to come back to boxing. He has a lovely home in Las Vegas and a nice job working for the UFC. Boxing to him is a bug, one that has been there nearly all his life. To be fair, from my perspective, there is no undue risk attached. The Prizefighter format will see him compete in at most, three three-minute rounds, against guys who, at his peak, he would have trounced with ease. It is not like he is being thrown in with Celestine Caballero, thought one suspects, with Wayne's warrior heart he would jump at the chance.

It appears however, that this turn of events was a bit surprising for Wayne as well.

“Barry Hearn Promotions contacted me about doing it so I jumped at the chance.”

This really is a major coup for Barry Hearn, maybe even more so than pencilling in Herbie Hide for the cruiserweight edition (though the merits of giving world ranked Hide an opportunity to wipe out someone like Zahir Kahut seem open to question). This will give the fans a real focus point, and every contender the chance to get a Hall of Fame bound fighter on their ledger. But does the concept of losing to one of these lesser men worry McCullough, who is coming of a two year break?

“I've already got seven defeats on my record, what is another one?” he laughs.

It seems McCullough has a very pragmatic view about what lies ahead. He has given up caring about the intricacies of his record, those who look at it will see the quality inside. This seems like a little adventure for the Belfast man.

It has to be said, the style does seem suited to McCullough. It is a trip back to his amateur days, when he was winning the Commonwealth gold medal, and gaining a silver medal in the Barcelona Olympics two years later. This is not lost on the man himself.

“I was always fast as an amateur and threw lots of punches, so here's hoping!”

Still, the question had to be asked , what really has Wayne got left? Have the wars taken their toll or could we see him lift that Prizefighter trophy?

“I run and train every day whether I have a fight coming up or not. It is just a case of stepping up the training when I got this offer. How much have I got left? Well, we will see on May 29th!"

I find these comments revealing. It seems as though he himself is not sure what will be in the tank when he steps into the ring. He could have the fire of old, or it could well have been extinguished in the previous years, we will only find out fight night. Either that, or this could be greatest poker faced response in the history of boxing. As I mentioned at the top of the page, McCullough doesn't need boxing, he wants to fight. He still looks as good today condition wise as he did in his prime. Can anyone really see a shot Wayne McCullough coming over to Britain just to make up the numbers? Just how much he has left is unknown to everybody, including him. But I feel he is coming to win it and suspects he has enough in the tank to make a big impact.

Only one other name is confirmed on the card and that is the name of Esham Pickering. Pickering, an ex-European title holder was one an inch away from fighting McCullough for that particular belt a number of years ago. It fell through sadly, but many will remember that and be fascinated by the prospect of them facing off finally. Typically of Wayne, maybe the nicest man in boxing, there are no strong words about his possible foe.

“Yeah, the only name I know who is definitely taking part is Esham Pickering. We are friends on Facebook and I messaged him today.”

This has all the makings of a swansong for McCullough. On being asked about this, Wayne replies in a light-hearted tone, but as always keeping his cards close to his chest.

“Given I know the actual meaning of 'swansong' (a final gesture or performance given before dying) I would hope not!”

McCullough will certainly be bringing a lot to the table, he will have forgotten more than any of his competitors will probably ever know. Still, in Wayne's words there is one thing he is bringing to the party that particular night.

“I am bringing my love of boxing.”

Short, sweet and a real insight into a man who seems content with his lot in life and who is starting out on what seems a voyage of discovery. What is clear however, is that if he discovers that he has a decent amount left, with a format that suits him down the ground, he is in with one hell of a chance of winning the whole thing.