Peters: no title shot for McCullough
McCullough sent an open letter, via his website, to Dunne yesterday challenging him to put his new title on the line.
“Congratulations on your great win at the weekend — you deserve it,’ the letter read.
“Doesn’t it feel good to be a World Champion? I’m really delighted for you. And being able to fight for the belt in front of your hometown fans is fantastic too.
“But let’s get down to business! ‘When I sat down with you in Dublin in January — while I was there for the UFC fights — I ~mentioned that we should fight whether you won or lost because this is a match up the fans want to see.
“Since the weekend I’ve had dozens of emails from our fans saying we need to fight as it would be the biggest event in Irish history. So Bernard what do you say? Let’s get this done.”
However with McCullough just months away from his 39th birthday and coming off three straight defeats the top promoter thinks it’s a match that’s a long way from reality.
Peters said: “Wayne’s a good friend and he’s been a great servant to Irish boxing as well as a great world champion.
“However he hasn’t won a fight since 2004 so he really would need to put together a few good wins including a win over a ranked contender before it could be considered a viable fight.”
Peters insisted numerous options are being explored for Dunne’s next fight. At the moment Bernard is taking a well-earned break and enjoying his success. It was an incredible fight and an incredible night and we’re certainly not short of options now.
“As I said after the fight the world is his oyster and there are all kinds of avenues open to us now.
“It’s a case of taking our time and working out what the best move is but we certainly won’t rush into anything.”
But he re-iterated that Israel Vazquez remains their dream match up.
“Obviously now that Bernard’s become a world champion he’s in a very strong position. The dream fight would be a big Las Vegas showdown with Israel Vazquez.
“He’s currently sidelined with a few long term injuries but is considered one of the best pound for pound fighters in the sport.
“It’s a clash Bernard would relish as he sparred Vazquez day in, day out as a young pro when he was out in Los Angeles.
“I think those sparring sessions proved to a lot of people that Bernard had what it takes to reach the very top of the sport.
“You also have guys like Celestino Caballero calling Bernard out. He says he’d be willing to come to Ireland so right now there are a lot of options to consider including the possibility of a voluntary defence for Bernard at home in Dublin.”
Peters has also warned of an even scarier prospect for the world’s super bantamweights.
“I still believe we’ve yet to see the best of Bernard Dunne, he proved last Saturday night that he belongs up there with the legends of Irish sport.
“I still think there is more to come from him over the next few years,” he added.
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