Interview: Wayne "The Pocket Rocket" McCullough

by Chris Curry

29.10 - "The Pocket Rocket" certainly lives up to his name. With vigorous non-stop punching, Wayne McCullough generates excitement and thrills every time he steps into the ring and was credited by Ring Magazine as having the best chin in boxing. Put this together and you are in for a fight.

Wayne's pedigree is excellent. In 1992 Wayne topped an excellent amateur career with an Olympic medal in Barcelona. In 1993 Wayne decided to turn professional in the United States and in 1995 "The Pocket Rocket" travelled to Japan to battle against Yasuei Yakushiji for the World Championship. After twelve emphatic rounds, McCullough was the new WBC Bantamweight Champion of the World. A reign that saw him undefeated as a Bantamweight.

McCullough stepped up to challenge Daniel Zaragoza in 1997 for the WBC Super Bantamweight crown and after another gallant battle, Wayne came out on the wrong side of a split decision and could not get Zaragona back for a rematch. Prince Naseem Hamed's knock out power was no match for McCullough's resistance. Wayne took the Prince twelve rounds for the first time in a World Championship fight and had blisters on his feet chasing him. Erik Morales would follow suit on the twelve round route with McCullough, "The Pocket Rocket" ignited Morales in some unforgettable exchanges.

Overcoming a testing two years with the British Boxing Board of Control's licence problems, Wayne McCullough is back on November 2nd in front of his home fans in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Here is what the "Pocket Rocket" had to say about up coming fight, his future and boxing.

Wayne, would you describe how it feels to have the distractions of the British Boxing Board of Control licence troubles behind you and be able to concentrate on keeping busy back in the ring?

Wayne McCullough: I feel great that I am back in the ring. It was a long, trying 2 years but I'm glad that it is all behind me and I have been granted a BBBC license. This will be my third fight back since my license problems but I think I've been given a second chance and I am delighted to be able to perform again for my fans.

The future is looking very bright for you now. Your two fights in 2002 against Alvin Brown and Johannes Maisa both ended in stoppages. How does your punching power feel at the moment, and do you feel stronger at age 32?

WM: I have said many times that I prayed for a punch and I got it!! I stayed in the gym every day, throughout my license trouble, trying to perfect my boxing and tidy up on my defence, but most importantly I prayed every day to help me through it. I always wanted a punch, but with my punch volume, I felt I didn't really need to punch hard. But now that I have a little more power, I wish I'd had it all along!!! Now that I am 32, I feel I have settled down on my punches and am back in the ring enjoying my boxing.

You have teamed up with Promoter Frank Warren and a clash against newly crowned WBO Featherweight World Champion, Scott Harrison is highly talked about. What did you think of Harrison's performance against Chacon, I believe your trainer Kenny Croom smiled at you after the fight, can you tell us about that?

WM: I thought Harrison looked good against Chacon - who didn't do very much to try to keep his title. Harrison won the fight easily. After the fight, Kenny walked around the ring to me (I was commentating for SKY TV) with a huge smile on his face. He was looking into the future - when my time comes to fight him - and he could see us being crowned the NEW Champ!!!

Back on October 20th 2000, the fight fans of Belfast roared in the Ulster Hall upon your arrival in the ring to make a speech. This would have been your first fight in the venue from your days as an amateur. The fans were united in support of their sporting hero following the announcement from the British Boxing Board of Control that they would deny you a licence to box. Can you describe that night and how does it feel finally to be returning to fight in front of your home fans for the first time in seven years, when in Belfast you stopped Johnny Bredahl in eight rounds in defence of your WBC Bantamweight World Championship?

WM: That night, in October 2000, I don't even think I knew what was happening. Just a couple of nights before I had been told that one more punch could kill me. That moment was surreal. Looking back now, it feels like a dream. Thank God I got through that time in my life and I am able, now, to look to the future.

You had a memorable night in Nagoya, Japan in 1995 where you defeated Yasuei Yakushiji for the WBC Bantamweight World Championship. Can you describe the moment you were announced Champion of the World and how much do you crave to hear that announcement again?

WM: I have never heard anyone announcing me as the new champ because when I fought in Japan, the announcement was in Japanese!!! The only moment I realized I had won was when they said my last name!! I long to hear "And the new....." in English, and can't wait for that moment to happen!!

Having turned professional in the United States in 1993 after winning a sliver medal in the Barcelona Olympic games, would you tell us about how your move to Las Vegas helped you as a fighter and could you tell us about your relationship with legendary trainer, the late Eddie Futch?

WM: After winning the Olympic medal, I was scouted by managers and promoters from around the world. However, when I was told I would be trained by Eddie Futch I knew that things could not be any better. My wife (fiancée at the time) and I moved to Las Vegas at about a weeks notice and have never looked back. My pro debut took place 3 days after arriving in the States and set up home in Las Vegas. I would not have been the fighter I am today without Eddie. Eddie was a fantastic person in and out of the boxing business. He could analyse a fighter and tell you exactly what to do to beat them. He had a great memory and we could sit for hours talking about my fights or fights he had been through with his old time fighters. There never will be another Eddie Futch but someday I hope to follow in his footsteps and train fighters as well.

When you fought Johannes Maisa in London on September 14th you had a tremendous work rate of around 500 punches in four rounds. How is your training going for your clash in Belfast on November 2nd and do you have an opponent named?

WM: My training has been going really well. I had 3 sparring partners - Brian Clements from Las Vegas, Mickey Bowden and Steve Foster jnr both from England. I have sparred a lot of rounds for this fight even though I didn't need much sparring. I took one day off after my last fight and I am really looking forward to fighting on November 2. My opponent is Nikolai Eremeev from Russia. His record is 18-5-2 with 7 KO's. I have seen a tape of him and he looks like a tough opponent.

On the other side of the Atlantic, Johnny Tapia is facing Marco Antonio Barrera that same night and on the 16th of November Paulie Ayala is facing Erik Morales. What do you think the out come of these fights will be and would you like to get in the mix with these fighters?

WM: I wish I was in Las Vegas the night of Tapia v Barrera but unfortunately that's not possible!!! I think that Barrera will beat Tapia only because it seems that Tapia has seen better days. Barrera is a featherweight while Tapia is not. He is moving up in weight for this fight and I believe that Barrera will have the edge. I also think that Morales will beat Ayala. Morales has the bigger punch, and while Ayala is very busy, I see Morales taking this fight. I will be ringside for Morales v Ayala and obviously would love to fight the winner from either, or both, of these fights.

Do you see a lot of openings in the Super Bantamweight and Featherweight divisions and what other Champions could be a potential target for the Pocket Rocket?

WM: I would love to fight the WBC super bantamweight champ Willie Jorrin, the WBO featherweight champ Scott Harrison, the WBO super bantamweight champ Joan Guzman, Marco Antonio Barrera or Erik Morales (again)!! My ultimate fight would be a rematch with Prince Naseem Hamed!!!

What do you think of the alphabet soup of trinket world championships around; do you think it takes the prestige of genuine World Championships away?

WM: While I do not want to take anything away from the fighters who call themselves champions today, I see the WBC, WBA, IBF and the WBO as the major championships. The WBO has gained recognition in the past few years by the fighters who hold this title.

What can the fans of the Pocket Rocket expect to see in this next stage of your career and what would you like to say to the readers on East Side Boxing around the world?

WM: My fans can see me at my best in my next few fights. I also hope they can join me in celebrating when I become a Champion again. Obviously I would like to thank all of my fans from around the world for supporting me while I was out of the ring. I'm glad they didn't forget about me and I plan on being around for some time yet!!!

Wayne, I would like to thank you for taking the time for this interview, its been a pleasure as a fan of yourself. I'd like to congratulate you on all of your achievements in the ring so far and I wish you and your family the very best for the future. It is fantastic to see your long deserved return to the ring in Belfast and we look forward to seeing you. I'd also like to thank Cheryl McCullough, Wayne's wife and Manager for all her help. Thank you!

By Chris Curry, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Questions or Comments to Chris_esboxing@hotmail.com