Interview with "Pocket Rocket" Wayne McCullough

By Ed Ludwig

18.02 - This evening I had the great pleasure of interviewing the former WBC Bantamweight champion of the world and 1992 Olympic Silver Medallist Wayne McCullough (24-3 15 KO's). Wayne recently returned to the ring after a twenty-seven month lay off. He scored a second round stoppage over Alvin Brown. In the amateur ranks he has defeated the best including Tim Austin (twice), Arturo Gatti and Willie Jorrin. Awarded the "Best Chin" in boxing by Ring Magazine, the "Pocket Rocket" is back and he is in pursuit of his second world title. I would like to thank Wayne and his wife Cheryl for making this interview possible.

Ed Ludwig: During your time away from the ring did you continue training?

Wayne McCullough: Yes, I took a week off in the two years that I was away. I worked out every day on my defence, technique and punching power.

EL: Are you planning on staying in the very competitive Featherweight division?

WM: I could still fight at Super Bantamweight. I would like to get a belt there first. Featherweight has the big names, Hamed, Barrera, Morales. I can compete in both weight classes' as I am very flexible.

EL: Do you feel that you can compete at the same level after your time away from the ring?

WM: I really believe that I am a better fighter now. I worked very hard in the gym. Mike McCallum told me that your body settles down when you hit thirty years old and he was right. I am the "Pocket Rocket" with power and one hundred punches per round.

EL: Has your health been good since the diagnosis of the cyst?

WM: It has. I make jokes about it once in a while. The doctors told me that I could die from a blow to the head and I thought if I hit my head on something, could I die? It was very difficult to deal with mentally. The BBBC is stuck in there own way of thinking. When you mention head it is not always on the brain. It is not actually on my brain. The board have seen all the evidence but they have decided to ignore medical advice.

EL: How important is it for you to get licensed by the BBBC?

WM: It's not important anymore. There is no reason for them not to clear me. I had fourteen doctors in America, Britain and Ireland say I can fight. It took thirteen months before I received the paperwork regarding the diagnosis. Dr. Peter Richard from England (an appeal steward for the BBBC) said that I was fine and that I could continue with my boxing career. I have been denied a license three times. A fighter from England recently contacted me and said he was in a similar situation and the board overturned his decision and now he is allowed to fight. We will definitely sue them. Last year was very frustrating because I dwelled on it and I was very angry. Because of this situation I can't fight in my hometown of Belfast. The Nevada Commission looked after me 100%. They don't grant a license to just anyone, they make sure you are mentally and physically fit before issuing a license to a boxer. They put me through every test possible and after they were satisfied that I was not taking a risk, then they gave me my license.

EL: Should Mike Tyson be allowed to continue boxing?

WM: Yes, I think so. I thought he would get his license back. The Nevada Athletic Commission is the best in the world and I think the other States and countries should honour the ruling. Maybe after Mike gets the help he needs they will revaluate the decision and see how he is in six months.

EL: What do you think of the WBA having the "Super Champion"?

WM: I think it's a joke. The goal of every fighter is to become a world champion and now they have this. I would love to see boxing go back to one belt per division and fifteen rounds for a title fight. I know it will never happen. There are four legitimate belts and I am glad I won mine before all the alphabet organizations came on the scene.

EL: How was your business relationship with Dan Goossen while he was with America Presents?

WM: The truth, Dan is a businessman and I had trouble with him in the past. In my pro debut and my third fight, I fought for Ten Goose Boxing - Dan's old company. My taxes were withheld but years later I got a letter from the IRS saying they were never paid into my account. Obviously I still had to pay the taxes. This took place before Dan joined America Presents. There have been a lot of changes since Dan left. You should treat everyone the same regardless of your record and status. I don't know the whole truth of what went down when Dan left, but Matt is my friend therefore I will stick by him and what he tells me.

EL: With America Presents losing the Fox Sports Net television contract to Cedric Kushner and Dan Goossen, is America Presents planning to showcase their fighters on another network?

WM: They have HDTV/ Direct TV. You need a high definition television set that most people don't have. Showtime and some of the other networks televise many of the America Presents fighters. Matt Tinley has a couple of ESPN2 dates lined up. Hector Camacho Jr. and Steve Forbes will be fighting on ESPN2 on March 21st and 22nd. From what I heard, Dan Goossen got some of the Fox dates but for less money that Matt had them for.

EL: What is your prediction for the Erik Morales vs. Marco Antonio Barrera rematch?

WM: I think Barrera is at the top of his game; however, Morales has the one punch power and I think he will win. He has to fight from a distance and use his jab.

EL: Is there a fight in particular that you are hoping for?

WM: Barrera is the best guy at Featherweight. After a few more fights I would like to meet him. I will need to be sharp as possible.

EL: Would you accept an offer to challenge for a world title at a lower weight class?

WM: I would after a couple of fights at Super Bantamweight. When I fought Hamed I was off for fifteen months and I was off for a year when I fought Morales. I could have been sharper with three or four more solid fights.

EL: Do you watch videotapes of your opponents?

WM: Yes I do. I don't watch a lot. I look to see the style of the fighter and to see if he is a boxer or puncher. It's different when you are in the ring. Styles make fights.

EL: Is it dangerous if you do not scout your opponent?

WM: Not to sure if it's dangerous. In the amateurs you never knew whom you were going to fight until it was time. In the Olympics I fought two southpaws and I didn't even know until we stepped into the ring. In the pro's it is good to study your opponents.

EL: Ring Magazine selected you as having the best chin in boxing. What was your reaction when you found out?

WM: Didn't know if I should laugh or cry. The award is good. I have it up on my wall in a frame. Hamed and Morales said they would knock me out and they didn't. This white Irish kid wont fall.

EL: Does having the best chin in boxing make it hard to land the big fights?

WM: After the Hamed fight Morales said he was going to do to me what Hamed couldn't. Opponents have to be prepared for a twelve round war with me. Morales could hardly stand in the last round of our fight.

EL: How did you get your nickname?

WM: I got that back in 1988 before the Olympics. I was seventeen and only 5ft 2in. My friend Kieran Joyce gave me the name because he said I was so small that I could fit in his pocket and I threw so many punches I was like a rocket - The Pocket Rocket was born!!

EL: What was it like working with the late, great Eddie Futch?

WM: He's responsible for everything. He is a master and a legend. Matt Tinley got me together with him. I owe everything to Eddie. He loved my daughter and one day I hope one day to be as great a trainer as he was. Boxing will miss him.

EL: Over the last ten years which country do you believe has produced the best boxers?

WM: The amateur level it is Cuba and the Americans have the best professional boxers.

EL: During your amateur career you have travelled all over the world. Which countries did you enjoy visiting?

WM: I fought in Australia and New Zealand and the culture is very similar to the Irish. Japan was very nice and immaculate. I was in Korea for the 1988 Olympics and that was an experience.

EL: Where do you see yourself one year from now?

WM: Prior to my last fight I was out of the ring for twenty-seven months. I would like three or four more fights and then challenge for a world title at Featherweight or Super Bantamweight.

EL: Will you stay involved with boxing after you retire?

WM: I have been boxing for twenty-four years now. I would like to be a commentator and a trainer like Eddie Futch. I want to be like him.

EL: Is there anything you would like to say to your fans around the world?

WM: Don't be scared to approach me for an autograph or photo if you see me at the fights. It's the fans who make the star and I will never forget that.