Belfast's Wayne McCullough made a winning return in a British boxing ring last night when he defeated South African Johannes Maisa at Bethnal Green. The bout was stopped in the fourth round after the "Pocket Rocket" as he is known wore down his opponent. Although Maisa began strongly, McCullough eventually took charge and the Olympic silver medallist rocked the South African with a right hook at the end of round three.
McCullough stormed out in the fourth round, knowing he had Maisa on the back foot and after a mere two minutes, the referee stepped in to end the contest as the Irishman fired a barrage of punches at Maisa.
It has been almost seven years since McCullough last fought in Britain as a cyst was found on his brain in October 2000 during a routine brain scan and he was prevented from boxing in Belfast. He sought a second and third opinion and was given the all-clear by several neurosurgeons but although he was able to fight in Nevada it was not until earlier this year that his British licence was restored.
Afterwards, McCullough said: "I want to fight more and I want to be world champion again. I want to get another three fights in before April. I want to be busy. I'm 32-years-old so I have got to stay busy."
McCullough is expected to box again next month in Glasgow and then will aim for a crack at a world title early in 2003.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
