Sport

Marco may miss possible Belfast bill

CYCLONE Promotions are rumoured to be lining up a Belfast show for December, but regular co-headline act Marc McCullough looks unlikely to be on it.

The Shankill Road fighter has been ruled out for up to two months after undergoing surgery to correct an ongoing problem with his right hand.

McCullough, the WBO European featherweight champion, hopes to be back in the ring early next year.

"I broke it about four years ago and the bone grew back abnormally," he explained.

"It gave me problems punching - a few weeks before the last fight I couldn't use the right hand at all, I was just using the jab in sparring.

"I thought I'd get it fixed while Carl (Frampton) was out injured as well.

"I was in about four times for the operation but I kept cancelling it for fights but this time I just decided to go in and get it done.

"They told me that everyone heals different but I could be out for two months. I'd say I'll probably be out for the year but I'm glad I got it done because it's been struggle for my whole pro career.

"I won't know myself being able to throw a proper right hand instead of holding back all the time.

"Every punch I had to hold back on, it was only going at 60-70 per cent. On the fight nights, with the adrenalin it was alright, it was more in sparring.

"I finally had to bite the bullet and get it sorted. I was afraid of fights getting bigger in my career and not being 100 per cent going into them."

* SURGERY: Marc McCullough (right) has undergone surgery to correct an ongoing problem with his right hand