Boxing: Fight will go ahead - McCullough

Wayne McCullough today insisted his world title fight against American Willie Jorrin will go ahead despite being refused a licence by the British Boxing Board of Control.

McCullough reacted furiously to the decision, saying: "The British Boxing Board of Control treated me like garbage before so I guess I shouldn’t have expected too much."

The Northern Irishman has signed to fight WBC super-bantamweight champion Jorrin in Dublin, probably in September, and is expected to apply for a Boxing Union of Ireland licence soon.

Simon Block, general secretary of the BBBC, informed McCullough in a telephone call last night that his board of stewards had again refused the former world bantamweight champion permission to fight in Britain.

Las Vegas-based McCullough was prevented from boxing in Belfast last October when a routine MRI scan revealed a cyst on his brain.

But, after seeking numerous alternative opinions and undergoing tests from some of America’s leading neurosurgeons, McCullough was passed fit to box.

"Block said the medical stewards from the board said that they still thought there was a slight chance of increased risk," said McCullough.

"But their medical stewards are not neurosurgeons. The board also said that I wasn’t under their jurisdiction, so why have me go through all the trouble of applying for a British license in the first place? That’s what I really can’t understand.

"The Jorrin fight will still go ahead regardless. I have a license with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and they have passed me fit to box.

"I have had all the tests from some of the leading American specialists. The WBC also contacted the Nevada Commission about the case and they are happy, so the fight will happen."

BBBC boss Block said in a statement: "Following very careful consideration of all the documentation presented by Mr McCullough, and mindful of our own regulations, the stewards decided that Mr McCullough was not eligible to apply for a full licence.

"Furthermore they would not be in a position to grant him an alien permit to box within our jurisdiction at this time if such application was made.

"I would emphasise the very great care with which the stewards dealt with this matter as they will be only too aware of Mr McCullough’s tremendous achievement both as an amateur and professional boxer.

"I think we all would have been very pleased to see Wayne back here, particularly in Northern Ireland, but unfortunately the stewards have to make their decision based on the facts as placed before them.