By Lee Collier

The latest boxer to come out of Joe Gallagher’s Denton-based gym and make his professional debut is 24-year-old Liam Cullen.  The young fighter from Northenden, Manchester is making his bow on tomorrow’s Jack Doughty bill at the Tara Leisure Centre in Shaw, Oldham.

Cullen has been plying his trade under Joe Gallagher and has been waiting to make his debut since last year after being held back due to not having much amateur experience but Gallagher and Cullen feel the time is right for the fighter to try and make his name in the sport.

“I don’t have a big amateur background but have been in the gym since I turned 17 years old,” revealed Cullen.  “I fell in love with the sport but had problems at my old amateur gym getting matches but now I’m fully in love with boxing and am looking to make a bit of an impact.  I am absolutely buzzing about fighting on Sunday and it’s been a long time coming.  I have been in the gym a long time learning my trade and just can’t wait to get in the ring.”

Cullen, who will compete in the light-heavyweight division, admits that watching friend and gym mate Danny Randall make his debut last year on the John Murray-Jon Thaxton card give him the buzz and hopes his debut will just as exciting.

“I have been told I am fighting another debutant so he’ll be coming to win and it should be a good fight.  I am looking forward to seeing if I can transfer what I’ve been doing in training to the fight,” explained Cullen.

 “There nerves haven’t kicked in at the minute but nearer the time if you didn’t get nervous you wouldn’t be human.  I have sold a few tickets and have family and friends coming so I just want to put on a show for them.”

Cullen continued, “I watched Danny [Randall] make his debut last October and was blown away by Danny’s fans on his debut so I have a lot to live up to.  Shaw will be a smaller show and it won’t have a Murray-Thaxton fight headlining it but it’s a big event for me and I can’t wait to start my career off.”

Cullen may be lacking in amateur experience but is looking to the training he does alongside fellow Joe Gallagher fighters such as John Murray [British lightweight champion], Joe Murray, Anthony Crolla and Femi Fehintola will help his development.

“You are always trying to match the guys in training,” revealed a confident Cullen.  “If John’s [Murray] not there you are trying to match Crolla and there are never any opportunities to slack.  It’s a very competitive environment including the track work and even something like bag work in the gym you are trying to better the others.  They are a top bunch and you get some good banter and it’s a fantastic gym to be in.”