By Chris Curry, Belfast, Northern Ireland

05.09 - "The Pocket Rocket" Wayne McCullough has blasted out of Las Vegas landing in his home city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Back on home soil, Wayne plans to re-launch himself on a journey back to the top of the World. The Former WBC Bantamweight World Champion is not only home, but is most at home in the ring. This is what McCullough has been fighting for recently, the right to fight at home in the UK.

After winning his greatest fight out of the ring, his battle with the British Boxing Board of Control. McCullough plans on winning fights back in the ring. Wayne was banned from Boxing in Belfast in October 2000 after a cyst was found on his brain during a routine MRI scan. His career looked to be in tatters, but Wayne persisted and was cleared after intense medical tests at the UCLA medical centre in the United States. He was then granted a licence with the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Following a thrilling twelve round battle with Erik Morales in October 1999 for the WBC Super Bantamweight crown, Wayne was back after losing two years of his career. "The Pocket Rocket" heated up with an excellent second round knock out of Alvin Brown on January 12th 2002. His determination of getting back in the ring strengthened during his two years out and he never left the gym. Another set back was with the collapse of his US promoter, America Presents.

Now everything is starting to take off. Wayne has won his battle with the British Boxing Board of Control for his Licence to fight in the United Kingdom. He has signed a two year contract with Sports Network promoter, Frank Warren and is ready to re-launch himself on September 14th against South African, Johannes Maisa. Wayne has been training tremendously for this fight, sparring around fifty rounds with Kevin Kelly in the United States. Back home, McCullough is having a further three weeks of sparring leading up to his September 14th clash and plans on keeping busy.

Johannes Maisa known as "The Hurricane" is simply going to get blown away. Maisa has a record of 17 wins 11 by Knockout with 3 loss's. Maisa has fought his career as a Bantamweight with his wins mostly against fighters who are either making their professional debut or fighters who are not long into their professional careers, mostly losing fights. The South Africans first loss came against Joseph Agbeko on points for the African Bantamweight title during his 16th professional fight. Agbeko at that stage had a record of 8-0 record and Maisa 15-0. Johannes then won the vacant South African Bantamweight title against Wandasile Ntandazo with a third round TKO. In Maisa's next fight he was stopped in round nine against Silence Mabuza in Carnival City. To add suspect to his chin, Masia suffered a further loss against Cedric Conway. Conway created a storm blowing "The Hurricane" down three times in round one scoring an automatic stoppage in defence of his South African Bantamweight crown. The South African returned to winning form in a four round contest against Anthony Hanna in London England on June 23rd 2002. Next is a major step up in class for Johannes Maisa against the granite chinned "Pocket Rocket" Wayne McCullough.

Wayne's aim is to simply keep busy and he has plenty to fight for. Frank Warren wants McCullough to face the winner of Julio Pablo Chacon and Scott Harrison. Harrison the WBO interim Featherweight World Champion will fight Chacon on October 19th. Chacons WBO Featherweight World Championship on the line with Harrison wanting the word "Interim" removed. Wayne is also due to fight on the supporting undercard. McCullough's ultimate goal is to win a second World Championship and the "Pocket Rocket" is happy to fight for that honour at Super Bantamweight were he has re-entered the WBC's top ten or at Featherweight.

Their are plenty of opportunities for Wayne McCullough in either weight class, after he gets these fights behind him. McCullough will want to be sharp and back to his best when the big fights accrue. I believe Scott Harrison will defeat Chacon on October 19th and I'd love to see Wayne against him next year. Scott Harrison is a solid fighter, but I can see nothing in him that a prepared McCullough could not over come. Willie Jorrin the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion is another option, that would be another great contest. That fight fell through during McCullough's problems with British Boxing Board of Control. Another great fight would be against Michael Brodie. Brodie was robbed against Jorrin for the vacant WBC Super Bantamweight crown. This would be a great contest for Wayne to take before a title shot. Forget Brodie's WBF title. All of these fighters would be in for a hard nights work if they are to face Belfast's "Pocket Rocket". McCullough has the desire and beating of them in him, to emerge on top.

Certainly he is amongst the pedigree of world class fighters and has faced many of the worlds best. Many fight fans will recall his memorable battle with Yasuei Yakushiji in Japan were he won the WBC Bantamweight Crown. His first defence of his World Championship was here in Belfast were he stopped Johnny BredahI in eight rounds. Bredahl is now the currant WBA Bantamweight World Champion. In a war with Daniel Zaragona after Wayne moved up in weight to fight for Zaragona's WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship. McCullough undeservedly lost a controversial split decision in an immense battle. His next World Championship challenge was against Prince Naseem Hamed at Featherweight. Naz was made look bad. Wayne took the Prince twelve rounds and became the first man to do so after Hamed won his Featherweight World Champion. To further dent Naseem in America, Wayne won the crowd in Atlantic City. McCullough's fight against Naseem Hamed earned him a shot at Erik Morales for the WBC Super Bantamweight Crown. In an heroic battle, Wayne demonstrated the meaning of a cast iron chin, never giving Morales an inch. At the end of the rounds Erik had an _expression on his face saying "What am I to do to get this guy out of here".

Now that Wayne McCullough has returned home, I'd love to see Belfast's most successful fighter refill the hole that is in Boxing in the City. The hey day of Boxing in the capital is long gone, McCullough could be the one to revive it. Venues such as the Ulster Hall and the Kings Hall were packed to see former WBA Featherweight World Champion, Barry McGuigan. Wayne has not fought in Belfast sense 1995 were he faced Johnny Bredhal. With new modern arenas built in the heart of the city, fight fans in Belfast would love to see his return when the time comes for the "Pocket Rocket" to blast back onto the world stage. What would be a better way to do it than in front of a sell out crowd fuelling the "Pocket Rocket" on for the Championship of the World.

Questions or Comments to chris_esboxing@hotmail.com