BloodyKnux
08-28-2007, 05:27 PM
BK UK Exclusive-
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g178/dcbooks/WAYNEMCCULLOUGH2.jpg
Las Vegas based Irishman Wayne McCullough reigned as WBC world bantamweight champion from 1995 to 1996 gaing a reputation as one of the most durable champions out there and possibly one of the best chins of the last fifty years. He continues to fight and also now trains fighters out of Las Vegas along with a recent appointment as UFC spokesman for Europe.
Wayne was nice enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer some question about his future plans, the current crop of UK fighters and the continuing growth of MMA.
Q. You have stated that along with training fighters you will yourself fight on. Will this be with an aim to another crack at the featherweight title or will you be moving up or down in weight ?
My goal is to win another belt in the junior featherweight division. Featherweight and above is really too heavy for me but when opportunity knocks ….
Q. At the time you seemed unhappy at the Larios 2 stoppage. I understood that soon after the bout you felt it was the right decision. What are your feelings on it now ?[
I never felt as though that stoppage was the right decision. I accepted the decision at the time but I was totally misquoted – it happens in the press sometimes!! I found out 6 months after the fight that my trainer had, in fact, stopped it when I thought it had been the ringside physician.
Q. With your move into training do you think you will be fighting much longer or are you happy doing both at the same time ? [/COLOR]
I’ve been training fighters for at least a year and a half so up to this point I’ve been able to fit both myself and them into my busy schedule. I train twice a day and training fighters has never upset my program.
Q. Which champion would you like a crack at in the current crop ?
I’d like to fight the winner of the upcoming match between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez. But I’m not picky so I’d fight any of the champions.
Q. Having fought both Moralles & Naz how do you think they would have matched up ?
It would have been a great fight because they can both bang hard. If Hamed had found out how hard Morales really punched he would have ran faster than he did in our fight!
Q. Do you think you missed any of your prime when you were out of the sport due to the cyst ? What are your feelings towards the BBBC over this ?
Of course I missed out on 2 good years and I was – at the time – the number one contender for the WBC belt. The BBBC were wrong back then. Even their own doctor had cleared me. But I have a great relationship with Simon Block now.
Q. Will you be training any MMA fighters in standup ?[/COLOR]
I’d love to but that hasn’t been mentioned yet. I held the pads for a fighter who’s getting ready to go into UFC here in my gym last week. Maybe if I help them on the boxing end of training, they’ll teach me how to hold and grapple.
Q. Aside from your own granite chin who do rate as having the most solid beard in the last 30 years ?
Me – oh sorry you said apart from me!! Hmmmm that’s a tough one. A lot of tough, durable fighters have hit the canvas during their fights. Julio Cesar Chavez had a great chin but near the end of his career Frankie Randall put him down. Jose Luis Castillo was put down in his most recent fight with Ricky Hatton ad he’d never been down throughout his career.
Q. After Ricky Hattons awesome display against Castillo it seems apparent he has different gears which tend to shift depending on the opponent. The Ricky we saw against Tszyu & Castillo was more than a shade better than the one vs Collazo & Urango. With talk of another upto 147 what are your thoughts on Hatton and where do you yourself think he should be fighting ?
I love Ricky Hatton’s fighting style but I think he knows himself that he belongs at 140lb. But with talks of fights with Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Oscar de la Hoya on the horizon who would blame him for fighting at welterweight.
Q. Buddy Mcgirt has criticised Hattons lack of defence/head movement & Ray Leonard thinks he will do his career alot of damage blowing up between fights. From a training point of view what are your feelings on both statements ?
Hatton isn’t doing too badly for a guy who doesn’t move his head! Ricky and Billy Graham are doing a great job but people will criticize you no matter what you do. Ricky is his own man and he makes no secret of the way he lives between fights but I’m sure he’s smart enough to realize that, before he gets to 30, maybe he’ll cut back – not out, just back!
Q. There has been much talk from Joe Calzaghe about the respect & recognition that Hatton gets when Joe himself has been a champ for 20 + defences. Do you think Joe has reason to be annoyed or is it simply that Ricky has made the moves that he should have made to hit the mainstream ?
Calzaghe, just like Hatton did, is making all his title defences back home. Frank Warren has done a great job. Although we get to see Calzaghe on TV, the fans like to see their favourite fighters on TV. Since Hatton made the “move” to the US he has built up his fan base. If you make it in America you will be known around the world.
Q. David Haye has been criticised for his lack of heart following the Thompson loss and more recently for being one dimensional when he hasnt taken his guy out. Do you think there is any truth this and how do you think he will do against Mormeck later on in the year ? Are we looking at a future big punching star ?
I think Haye is a cruiserweight. He has the punch that always carries him through but his skills are not the greatest. But with a punch, you never know. Mormeck is a tough guy with a good chin so it will take a lot to beat him.
Q. The fight on the 23rd fell through. Was this down to no suitable opponents available and were you dissapointed with this being your first fight in Ireland in almost 5 yrs ?
I was very disappointed. There were at least 7 opponents with decent records who turned the fight down. I’ve never had this happen before. I didn’t want to fight a bum since I’m a world level fighter so I was hoping that someone suitable would be found in time. My fans have been very understanding and I know the next time I schedule a fight over there they will come out and support me.
Q. Congratulations on your appointment as a UFC spokesman. What will be required of you within the role ?
Officially I am the Public Relations Associate for the UFC. I’m honoured to be involved with such a fast growing sport. I’ve been a big fan of the UFC for many years and I jumped at the chance to be a part of it.
Q. Unlike yourself many figures in the boxing world have been malicious about the growing sport of MMA. This however isnt without provocation and both sides have been blowing verbal raspberrys. To me they are different sides of the same dice. Whats your take on the recent comments going back and forth between boxing and MMA ? Do you think this animosity will die out ?
I have constantly said they are both different sports. It’s like comparing Rugby to American Football. I’ve known Dana White for at least 12 years and he, even to this day, is a huge boxing fan. He knows I’m continuing with my career and supports me in that. The problem is that some boxers have challenged UFC fighters because they think they are just thuggish street fighters but, just like boxing, these guys are using skill and technique to win their bouts. UFC is being promoted the right way. If I was heavier / taller I’d give it a go myself! I love both sports and shouldn’t have to choose.
Q. Which MMA fighters have impressed you so far ?
I’ve always been a fan of the old school guys – Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture (who attended the Bernard Hopkins v Winky Wright last weekend). I saw a great fight between Sean Sherk and Hermes Franca a few weeks ago in the lightweight division – two little guys who fought their hearts out. I also love the way Michael Bisping fights.
Q. Since you are now both an ex world champion fighter and a trainer who do you think inside MMA has good boxing level punch technique ?
I’ve always said that the best guy on his feet using boxing technique is Chuck Liddell.
Q. Do you think that the structure the organisations (UFC, King of the Cage, Cage Rage UK) provide within MMA make for better matchmaking as there are no promoters looking to bolster records as with the orgs all fighters effectively under one banner ?
With just the one promoter, every fight is a good fight. There are no mismatches – no demands for big purses. Marvin Hagler was on ESPN last week and he said back in his day there were big fight cards in Vegas every week. How that has changed. But with the UFC there are sold out shows every month.
Q. You mentioned in an interview that UFC is doing all the things right that boxing is doing wrong. Is this with the matchmaking only (best fighting the best as apposed to long build ups and letdowns) or are there other pointers boxing can take from MMA ?
The UFC promote every guy on the card. There could be 9 fights and you know a little bit about every fighter. If you check out www.UFC.com (http://www.ufc.com/) you are able to check out all the fighters – even the undercard guy – to see the build up in the weeks prior to the event. Then at the arena on fight night, there are videos of each and every guy on big screens. If I were a boxing promoter, I’d promote all my guys this way. If a boxer fights on a fight card and they are not the promoter’s fighter, few people know they are fighting. Point in case, I fought Oscar Larios 2 years ago in Las Vegas – where I’ve lived for 14 years and up to about 2 days before the fight, nobody knew I was fighting mainly because I wasn’t on the fight poster – since I wasn’t the promoters fighter.
Q. The statement 'Boxing is dead' has become quite common within MMA discussion. This obviously isnt the case so where do you think there is any scope for cross promotions in the future ?
Boxing isn’t dead and I don’t think it ever will be. There just aren’t enough big fights to keep the boxing fan entertained. UFC is a younger generation sport but I don’t think there is a need to cross promote them.
Q. Richard Steele recently made an unexpected move into MMA promotions. What are your thoughts on this ?
Richard promoted boxing shows too. I think he probably sees MMA as a growing sport and has chosen to get in early!
Q. With the bout on the 23rd now off will you be fighting later this year ?
I hope so but I’m so busy doing interviews about UFC … lol. Whether it’s this year or in 5 years, I will be back in the ring – squared or octagonal!! lol I’m not done yet!!
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Wayne. We wish you all the best in the future.
- Bloodyknux UK
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g178/dcbooks/WAYNEMCCULLOUGH2.jpg
Las Vegas based Irishman Wayne McCullough reigned as WBC world bantamweight champion from 1995 to 1996 gaing a reputation as one of the most durable champions out there and possibly one of the best chins of the last fifty years. He continues to fight and also now trains fighters out of Las Vegas along with a recent appointment as UFC spokesman for Europe.
Wayne was nice enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to answer some question about his future plans, the current crop of UK fighters and the continuing growth of MMA.
Q. You have stated that along with training fighters you will yourself fight on. Will this be with an aim to another crack at the featherweight title or will you be moving up or down in weight ?
My goal is to win another belt in the junior featherweight division. Featherweight and above is really too heavy for me but when opportunity knocks ….
Q. At the time you seemed unhappy at the Larios 2 stoppage. I understood that soon after the bout you felt it was the right decision. What are your feelings on it now ?[
I never felt as though that stoppage was the right decision. I accepted the decision at the time but I was totally misquoted – it happens in the press sometimes!! I found out 6 months after the fight that my trainer had, in fact, stopped it when I thought it had been the ringside physician.
Q. With your move into training do you think you will be fighting much longer or are you happy doing both at the same time ? [/COLOR]
I’ve been training fighters for at least a year and a half so up to this point I’ve been able to fit both myself and them into my busy schedule. I train twice a day and training fighters has never upset my program.
Q. Which champion would you like a crack at in the current crop ?
I’d like to fight the winner of the upcoming match between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez. But I’m not picky so I’d fight any of the champions.
Q. Having fought both Moralles & Naz how do you think they would have matched up ?
It would have been a great fight because they can both bang hard. If Hamed had found out how hard Morales really punched he would have ran faster than he did in our fight!
Q. Do you think you missed any of your prime when you were out of the sport due to the cyst ? What are your feelings towards the BBBC over this ?
Of course I missed out on 2 good years and I was – at the time – the number one contender for the WBC belt. The BBBC were wrong back then. Even their own doctor had cleared me. But I have a great relationship with Simon Block now.
Q. Will you be training any MMA fighters in standup ?[/COLOR]
I’d love to but that hasn’t been mentioned yet. I held the pads for a fighter who’s getting ready to go into UFC here in my gym last week. Maybe if I help them on the boxing end of training, they’ll teach me how to hold and grapple.
Q. Aside from your own granite chin who do rate as having the most solid beard in the last 30 years ?
Me – oh sorry you said apart from me!! Hmmmm that’s a tough one. A lot of tough, durable fighters have hit the canvas during their fights. Julio Cesar Chavez had a great chin but near the end of his career Frankie Randall put him down. Jose Luis Castillo was put down in his most recent fight with Ricky Hatton ad he’d never been down throughout his career.
Q. After Ricky Hattons awesome display against Castillo it seems apparent he has different gears which tend to shift depending on the opponent. The Ricky we saw against Tszyu & Castillo was more than a shade better than the one vs Collazo & Urango. With talk of another upto 147 what are your thoughts on Hatton and where do you yourself think he should be fighting ?
I love Ricky Hatton’s fighting style but I think he knows himself that he belongs at 140lb. But with talks of fights with Floyd Mayweather Jnr and Oscar de la Hoya on the horizon who would blame him for fighting at welterweight.
Q. Buddy Mcgirt has criticised Hattons lack of defence/head movement & Ray Leonard thinks he will do his career alot of damage blowing up between fights. From a training point of view what are your feelings on both statements ?
Hatton isn’t doing too badly for a guy who doesn’t move his head! Ricky and Billy Graham are doing a great job but people will criticize you no matter what you do. Ricky is his own man and he makes no secret of the way he lives between fights but I’m sure he’s smart enough to realize that, before he gets to 30, maybe he’ll cut back – not out, just back!
Q. There has been much talk from Joe Calzaghe about the respect & recognition that Hatton gets when Joe himself has been a champ for 20 + defences. Do you think Joe has reason to be annoyed or is it simply that Ricky has made the moves that he should have made to hit the mainstream ?
Calzaghe, just like Hatton did, is making all his title defences back home. Frank Warren has done a great job. Although we get to see Calzaghe on TV, the fans like to see their favourite fighters on TV. Since Hatton made the “move” to the US he has built up his fan base. If you make it in America you will be known around the world.
Q. David Haye has been criticised for his lack of heart following the Thompson loss and more recently for being one dimensional when he hasnt taken his guy out. Do you think there is any truth this and how do you think he will do against Mormeck later on in the year ? Are we looking at a future big punching star ?
I think Haye is a cruiserweight. He has the punch that always carries him through but his skills are not the greatest. But with a punch, you never know. Mormeck is a tough guy with a good chin so it will take a lot to beat him.
Q. The fight on the 23rd fell through. Was this down to no suitable opponents available and were you dissapointed with this being your first fight in Ireland in almost 5 yrs ?
I was very disappointed. There were at least 7 opponents with decent records who turned the fight down. I’ve never had this happen before. I didn’t want to fight a bum since I’m a world level fighter so I was hoping that someone suitable would be found in time. My fans have been very understanding and I know the next time I schedule a fight over there they will come out and support me.
Q. Congratulations on your appointment as a UFC spokesman. What will be required of you within the role ?
Officially I am the Public Relations Associate for the UFC. I’m honoured to be involved with such a fast growing sport. I’ve been a big fan of the UFC for many years and I jumped at the chance to be a part of it.
Q. Unlike yourself many figures in the boxing world have been malicious about the growing sport of MMA. This however isnt without provocation and both sides have been blowing verbal raspberrys. To me they are different sides of the same dice. Whats your take on the recent comments going back and forth between boxing and MMA ? Do you think this animosity will die out ?
I have constantly said they are both different sports. It’s like comparing Rugby to American Football. I’ve known Dana White for at least 12 years and he, even to this day, is a huge boxing fan. He knows I’m continuing with my career and supports me in that. The problem is that some boxers have challenged UFC fighters because they think they are just thuggish street fighters but, just like boxing, these guys are using skill and technique to win their bouts. UFC is being promoted the right way. If I was heavier / taller I’d give it a go myself! I love both sports and shouldn’t have to choose.
Q. Which MMA fighters have impressed you so far ?
I’ve always been a fan of the old school guys – Tito Ortiz, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture (who attended the Bernard Hopkins v Winky Wright last weekend). I saw a great fight between Sean Sherk and Hermes Franca a few weeks ago in the lightweight division – two little guys who fought their hearts out. I also love the way Michael Bisping fights.
Q. Since you are now both an ex world champion fighter and a trainer who do you think inside MMA has good boxing level punch technique ?
I’ve always said that the best guy on his feet using boxing technique is Chuck Liddell.
Q. Do you think that the structure the organisations (UFC, King of the Cage, Cage Rage UK) provide within MMA make for better matchmaking as there are no promoters looking to bolster records as with the orgs all fighters effectively under one banner ?
With just the one promoter, every fight is a good fight. There are no mismatches – no demands for big purses. Marvin Hagler was on ESPN last week and he said back in his day there were big fight cards in Vegas every week. How that has changed. But with the UFC there are sold out shows every month.
Q. You mentioned in an interview that UFC is doing all the things right that boxing is doing wrong. Is this with the matchmaking only (best fighting the best as apposed to long build ups and letdowns) or are there other pointers boxing can take from MMA ?
The UFC promote every guy on the card. There could be 9 fights and you know a little bit about every fighter. If you check out www.UFC.com (http://www.ufc.com/) you are able to check out all the fighters – even the undercard guy – to see the build up in the weeks prior to the event. Then at the arena on fight night, there are videos of each and every guy on big screens. If I were a boxing promoter, I’d promote all my guys this way. If a boxer fights on a fight card and they are not the promoter’s fighter, few people know they are fighting. Point in case, I fought Oscar Larios 2 years ago in Las Vegas – where I’ve lived for 14 years and up to about 2 days before the fight, nobody knew I was fighting mainly because I wasn’t on the fight poster – since I wasn’t the promoters fighter.
Q. The statement 'Boxing is dead' has become quite common within MMA discussion. This obviously isnt the case so where do you think there is any scope for cross promotions in the future ?
Boxing isn’t dead and I don’t think it ever will be. There just aren’t enough big fights to keep the boxing fan entertained. UFC is a younger generation sport but I don’t think there is a need to cross promote them.
Q. Richard Steele recently made an unexpected move into MMA promotions. What are your thoughts on this ?
Richard promoted boxing shows too. I think he probably sees MMA as a growing sport and has chosen to get in early!
Q. With the bout on the 23rd now off will you be fighting later this year ?
I hope so but I’m so busy doing interviews about UFC … lol. Whether it’s this year or in 5 years, I will be back in the ring – squared or octagonal!! lol I’m not done yet!!
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Wayne. We wish you all the best in the future.
- Bloodyknux UK