By Mark Vester
Wayne "Pocket Rocket" McCullough (27-6, 18KOs) will be coming off a 30-month layoff when he steps in the ring against undefeated European super bantamweight champion Kiko Martinez (17-0, 14KOs) at the King's Hall in Belfast on December 1. Martinez is 16-years younger than the 37-year-old McCullough.
The heavy-handed Martinez is a heavy favorite to win. Three months ago he obliterated Dublin prospect Bernard Dunne in only 86-seconds.
McCullough tells The Independent that he likes playing the role of the underdog, promising to prove the doubters wrong.
"The odds will not bother me in the slightest," says McCullough. "I'm a fighter. This is what I do. I've always fought the best, as you know, and once again I'm stepping up to the challenge against the undefeated European champion. Being out of the ring for over two years will not be a problem. Preparation is the key. I know how to prepare for a fight the right way after an absence. A lot of boxers have conditioned themselves after a break, and not just me. Some have even won world titles right away.
McCullough says that he was waiting for the right opportunity to return to the ring, and people should remember that all of his six losses came against top opposition.
"In any event, I'm fully confident of beating Kiko, while at the same time respecting his fine record, 17 wins without a loss or a draw, with 14 inside the distance. He's good and he has to be respected but he's not unbeatable. No way. I think he caught Bernard cold but that's boxing. I'm not making any forecasts, but I'm not taking him lightly by any means.
"Many people forget too that all my six losses have all been in world title fights -- against the likes Erik Morales, Naseem Hamed, Scott Harrison, Daniel Zaragoza and two against Larios. Nor have I ever been put on the canvas so all this has to count for something. Tell Kiko to be prepared because I am."
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