Tommy McCarthy left Disappointed but Determined following second pro debut

Tommy McCarthy [12(6)-1(0)] learnt the value of being active on Saturday night but still believes he could take on the top names in a reborn domestic cruiserweight division.

The Belfast puncher was left disappointed after his return to action at out after of a year out.

‘The Mac Attack’ outpointed Kent Kauppinen a fighter who just made his debut in May of this year and was genuinely upset he didn’t get the stoppage.

‘Big Tommy’ knows he is a class above English fighter but claims their differing levels of activity was apparent over their six rounds at the Shorts Sports and Social Club.

While McCarthy hadn’t fought in 12 months, his opponent was fighting for a fifth time in less than three months and the new MHD fighter believes that played a part in the journeyman surviving to see the final bell.

“To be honest, I am disappointed I didn’t get the stoppage. I felt in a different class to him but it shows you, he is boxing every week, so he is active and he is more ring seasoned,” McCarthy said after the his twelfth career win.

“It was more or less my debut again. I am disappointed I didn’t get the stoppage because we are not in the same class but it is good to get six competitive rounds and get out in that environment again.”

“I feel like I have done this interview before, but it was great getting the bandages done again, getting warmed up and the stuff that happens in a fight.”

The 28-year-old’s team, particularly new manager Mark Dunlop, were more than content their fighter got rounds in and, upon reflection, the talented big man agrees he will get more from going the distance than a quick fire win.

“If I had have blown him out in a round what would have been the point? It will serve me better but my ego is disappointed.”

“I am disappointed – I am glad of the win, but I wanted the stoppage.”

Noting that rounds benefitted him, the Lenadoon man believes a busy period would be a ideal.

“Look, we want to get busy again,” outlined McCarthy who will return to the ring on an MHD show in Belfast on February 9th.

“I want to get more accustomed to getting in the competitive ring. He [Kaupinnen] is more experienced than me in terms of ring time. We just want to keep building and building now.”

“Sparring is different, I have world class sparring so I know what I can do so now it’s about get seasoned in the ring.”

So, McCarthy is happy to stick to Mark Dunlop’s plan of getting a few wins under his belt before looking for fights with the cruisers starting to get Sky Sports air time of late – well, sort of.

The Commonwealth silver medallist’s competitive edge comes out when names like Luke Watkins, Isaac Chamberlain, and Lawrence Okolie are mentioned.

“See, with the likes of Watkins and Chamberlain, they are coming to win so they give you the openings,” he responds when asked if he needs time before fighting any of the aforementioned.

“That is when I am finding the knockouts. Your man didn’t throw a punch till the third round. So someone who is coming to win I will take him out far handier than a journeyman.”

“Everyone in boxing knows journeymen have the best defence in the business, they’re better than Mayweather,” smirked McCarthy before turning his attention to the top man in Britain at the moment.

“Okolie looks very raw, but he is a big long thing, he is strong and very awkward. As far as boxing skills he isn’t in my class. He is just a very strong powerful guy and it works for him.”