Chisolm is Hungary for success

JAMES CHISOLM makes the most exciting trip of his boxing career to date today when he travels to Beslvkye in East Hungary for what will be his fifth professional fight.

The Corkman, now based in London where he boxes out of the Repton Club in Bethnal Green, will take on a former three-time Hungarian national champion on December 14.

"I don't know very much about him other than the fact that he has won a number of Hungarian titles," Chisholm said, himself a former national junior champion and international.

"I probably saw him in action when I boxed in the European juniors in Birmingham in 1997 as he was a member of the Hungarian team there but I was probably too busy concentrating on my own opponent at that time."

He travels to Hungary in the best shape of his life. He has been training with two other members of the five-strong squad making the trip from London, lightweight Danny Hunt and light middle Frankie O'Donnell who is of Irish extraction. "I have also been sparring with guys like Darren Hayde and Scot Milner. So I am in pretty good shape," he said.

He has been based in London for the past year and a half and is managed by Frank Moloney. Under his stewardship he has won his four contests to date beating William Lemond and Nickey Deane inside the distance.

"I know this is a big step up in class but I am ready for it," he said.

Meanwhile Wayne McCullough will fight Scott Harrison in the new year for his WBO featherweight title.

The Ulsterman revealed that terms have been agreed between his manager wife Cheryl and promoter Frank Warren and he expects the Celtic showdown to take place in early March, probably in the champion's home town of Glasgow.

It will be McCullough's second shot at the WBO featherweight title, having previously lost in 1998 on points to former champion Naseem Hamed.

''I'm just glad the fight is on. Harrison's a good fighter but not in the class of Hamed or (Erik) Morales," he said.

McCullough was at ringside when Harrison won the WBO crown with a comprehensive points win over Julio Pablo Chacon in Glasgow.

''I saw a few weaknesses that night that I know I can exploit. He hasn't fought anyone of my class before,'' added McCullough.