Sport

McCullough enjoys his home work

BOXING: Wayne McCullough yesterday spoke of his frustration over the past two years trying to arrange a fight in his native …

Thu Oct 03 2002 - 01:00

BOXING: Wayne McCullough yesterday spoke of his frustration over the past two years trying to arrange a fight in his native Belfast. The former bantamweight world champion, speaking in The Maysfield Leisure Centre where he has a bout on November 2nd, was due to fight in October 2000 in the city but failed a brain scan and was told his career was over. He received a British Boxing Board of control licence in June and returned to the ring last month with an impressive fourth round stoppage of South African

"I was very pleased with my performance at the York Hall and I was delighted with the support that I got," said McCullough.

"But the reason I fought to get my licence was so that I could fight in my home city. That is what I have got. It was written into my contract with Frank Warren that I would have at least one fight in Belfast and one in Dublin because Ireland is where I want to box."

McCullough is still waiting for an opponent, although that should be sorted out over the next few days. He will share top billing with British welterweight champion Neil Sinclair.

READ MORE

Although born and raised in Belfast, McCullough has only ever fought there professionally twice before. In 1993, he knocked out Conn McMullen in his seventh professional fight. In December 1995, he knocked out Johnny Bredahl in the eighth round of a WBC bantamweight defence.

TENNIS: Pete Sampras, who won a fifth US Open last month, will not play tennis again this year, the ATP said yesterday. The winner of a record 14 grand slam titles has withdrawn from all the remaining ATP tournaments in which he was entered in 2002.

Sampras (31), had been scheduled to play at the Madrid Masters Series from October 14-20th, the Swiss Indoors in Basel from October 21-27th and the Paris Masters from October 28-November 3rd.

SAILING: Day two of the Louis Vuitton Cup on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf was abandoned because of high winds. The postponement of the second phase will not delay the finish of the event, which will decide who will face New Zealand in the America's Cup next year.

Reserve days have been inserted in the schedule of the challenger series to allow races to be re-run if required. The Regatta's rules prevent sailing in winds more than 19 knots. Yesterday, they ranged between 22-26 knots.