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Tommy McCarthy on 'last shot' after falling out of love with 'stinking boxing'

Photo showing Tommy McCarthy
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Tommy McCarthy insists his passion for boxing is back after admitting to falling out of love with the sport. The former European cruiserweight champion is preparing for his ring return next Friday night in Belfast.

The 33-year-old will take on a six-rounder on the Conlan Boxing card at SSE Arena, on the undercard of Padraig McCrory's clash with Leonard Carrillo.

McCarthy is coming off the back of defeats to Michal Cieslak and Chevon Clarke, losses which threatened to detonate his career.

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With his successful Whiskey 'n White podcast, and a burgeoning comedy career, the Belfast fighter's attention was away from the squared circle.

"The two losses came at a time when boxing wasn't my focus. I actually wanted to retire from boxing before those fights," he told Belfast Live.

"But then I got offered a European title fight before Christmas and I thought that would sort me out financially. And then after that I got offered the fight with Chevon Clarke, and that was another good pay day for after Christmas.

"I took those fights at short notice, four and five weeks. Obviously I wanted to win, but after I just thought I was finished with boxing. My heart hadn't been in it since the Chris Billam-Smith fight two years ago.

"I was doing commentary and all the other stuff and I wasn't thinking much about boxing. But then I looked at it that I only have one or two years left before I'm too old to box, so I decided to put the head down and give it everything so I have no regrets when I hang the gloves up.

"I have been training away, and I was looking for any show to get back out. And then the Conlan Boxing show came up and Mark Dunlop got it sorted."

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McCarthy says his passion for boxing was diluted after suffering several setbacks in the sport, admitting it was a "stinking game" the higher up the ranks he moved.

He added: "Boxing had slipped down the pecking order. It is such a stinking game and the higher up the ladder you get, the more you see how stinking it it.

"People telling lies and all that, it is complete bulls***. With comedy, I don't have to rely on anyone but myself. In boxing that are so many variables, your opponent gets injured or the fight is called off, something can happen with the show.

"You depend on so many external things, and it gets to you. I got sick of it."

McCarthy also says his split-decision defeat to Billam-Smith back in July 2021 "took the heart out of me". The Belfast man narrowly lost out in the British, Commonwealth and European showdown and was stopped in the eagerly anticipated rematch nine months later.

Since then Billam-Smith has gone on to become WBO World cruiserweight champion, while McCarthy's career hit the buffers.

"Really, when I fought Billam-Smith the first time and thought I won the fight, it took the heart out of me. Since that, even in the second Billam-Smith fight, I was doing it for the money and not for the love," he added.

"After the Clarke fight, I didn't train or went near a boxing ring. I focused on comedy and the podcast, but I suppose that break made me realise how much I love boxing. It is my passion.

"I don't want to box past the age of 36. I have always said that. I always said I would be retired before 36.

"So this feels like the last chapter for me, as a boxer. For the career I have had, being a former European champion and taking Billam-Smith to the wire. The losses I have had are all world level opponents. They have either been world champion or fought for a world title. There is no shame in losing to those guys.

"Obviously Chevon Clarke hasn't fought for a world title, but he is British champion and an Olympian. They are all high level.

"This is the last ascent for me, to try and climb the moon. I am back focused on boxing and getting in the right shape, physically and mentally.

"So this will be a six-rounder to get me back on track, and then hopefully I have a big 2025."

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