Conrad Cummings splits from McGuigans

Conrad Cummings [11(5)-1(0)-0] has confirmed that he has parted company with the McGuigan family.

The Coalisland middleweight had been managed by Barry McGuigan, trained by Shane McGuigan, and promoted by Cyclone Promotions for his entire pro career thus far, but has announced this evening that he has left the Irish outfit.

Cummings described how “after a recent meeting it was clear that our time has come to an end as a team. Also, after speaking with my family and closest around me I believe it is time to move on.”

“I cannot wait to start the next chapter of my career and the big fights that lie ahead.”

“I want to thank Barry, Shane, all of the McGuigans and Cyclone Promotions for the opportunities they have offered me to date.”

Turning pro at the end of 2013 following a series of impressive showings in the World Series of Boxing, Cummings racked up a number of wins before being held to a draw in his first headline appearance – a BBBoC Celtic title fight with Belfast’s Alfredo Meli at the Waterfront Hall.

‘Mr Dynamite’ rebuilt, but would drop a dubious decision against German Ronny Mittag for the IBF Inter-Continental title. Cummings then bounced back to win the WBO European title against Gogi Knezevic in March.

This win in Edinburgh is the last time Cummings, ranked #14 in the world with the WBO has fought. He was one of a number of Irish fighters affected by the cancellation of Carl Frampton’s fight with Andres Gutierrez in July.

26 year old Cummings follows ‘The Jackal’ in splitting from the McGuigan family and, while his next move remains unconfirmed, it would be a reasonable guess that he joins Frampton under Frank Warren and Mack The Knife Global.

A fight with WBO champion Billy Joe Saunders built some momentum earlier in the year and remains a possibility – especially with Gennady Golovkin, holder of the three other major belts, and Canelo Alvarez set to rematch.

The departure of Cummings leaves Cyclone with no remaining Irish fighters. Jamie Conlan and Marco McCullough both left the outfit in 2015, followed by Anto Cacace in 2016, and now Frampton and Cummings in the past two months.

On the books with Cyclone now are Josh Taylor, Jason Easton, Chantelle Cameron, Chris Billam-Smith, Martin Bakole, and Josh Pritchard.