Article-Wayne McCullough

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 15 Nov 2005, 05:52

found this article from the Guardian.Com , Sounds as if Wayne is determined to fight again, Not something i'm in favour of.

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I'm ready to die," Wayne McCullough says calmly on a cold and grey afternoon in Belfast. It is a measured and defiant statement which will chill anyone who believed that his last brutal fight had finally persuaded him that the rest of his life should be lived on the safe side of the ropes. He is one of the most special and generous men left in a deadly business - but the 35-year-old appears likely to risk everything by fighting on. "I'm not saying I want to but, if I do die in the ring, then God has marked it down as my fate. If I had a choice I'd take the ring, because I wouldn't want to die under a truck. Dying in the ring would at least mean something."

Tomorrow it will be exactly four months since Dr Margaret Goodman called a halt after the 10th round of a WBC super-bantamweight world championship bout between McCullough and Oscar Larios in Las Vegas. The gaunt Ulsterman and the title-holding Mexican had already fought in February, when Larios won a lopsided decision that caused McCullough to complain that "the judges were totally blind. Ray Charles would have done better."
McCullough, his eyes now shining in a hollow face, leans forward and relives their July rematch. "I almost had Larios gone in the fourth but, somehow, he survived. Then, in the seventh, he burst my eardrum. That's happened to me three times before. I'm never in trouble from something that minor."

He still took a terrible beating - so much so that Richard Steele, the vastly experienced referee, looked anxious. "Richard kept talking to me in the ring, telling me I was getting hit too much. We play golf together so I said: 'Richard, come on! You know my style. I get hit!'"

Sixteen weeks on I can't help but wince when, as gently as his pale fists cuff his own face, McCullough imitates the blows with which Larios tattooed him. "People say I'm not a big hitter but I kept thinking about all these moments when a guy pulls out a big punch to rescue a fight in the last minute. I had six minutes left when Margaret Goodman stepped in and made a bad mistake. I got off my stool to protest: 'Just two more rounds - please!' She said, 'Wayne, I'm sorry. You know how much I respect you.' She shone that little spotlight in my eye and said my vision was clear - but she'd made her mind up. I'm crying, 'Please, Margaret, I'm fine.' She said, 'I know you are. It's just my personal opinion.' C'mon! I only want to hear her medical opinion. And, medically, I was OK. Only my heart got broken ... "

Goodman's intervention meant that, for the first time in his 12-year professional career, McCullough was prevented from finishing a bout on his feet. "I've never even been knocked down - not by [Naseem] Hamed, [Erik] Morales, [Scott] Harrison, [Daniel] Zaragoza or Larios. The only time I felt it was when [Victor] Rabanales caught me [in 1994]. He hit me so hard I thought I was at home on the sofa, watching TV with my wife Cheryl! But I stayed up and won that fight. So I'd survived far worse nights than against Larios. I wasn't going to die against Larios, but if I had, or if I do in a future fight, so be it."

McCullough has been to such dark places in the ring it seems inevitable that we keep returning to the subject of his death. But he is also charming and amusing when relating his strange stories about escaping the Shankill Road for the Las Vegas Strip. And he makes the moment he and Cheryl moved to America, when he was 22 and she was 19, sound like a wildly romantic song from Born To Run - had Bruce Springsteen written it amid the sectarian strife of east Belfast. The boxer can even hug Wynona, his seven-year-old daughter and remember the time she told Mike Tyson he was "a very sweaty man", or how Bono tried to teach her the meaning of a peace sign a few weeks ago. Death, however, is never far away.

In March 1996, McCullough was so dehydrated after making the weight against José Luis Bueno that he cannot remember a single punch from the fourth to the 12th round of a successful defence of his WBC world bantamweight title. "Bono was in the dressing room, holding my hand, praising my courage. But Kenny Croom, who worked my corner, thought I was dying. I ended up in hospital and my face was so swollen I couldn't even recognise myself. I was shaking and my heart was beating over 100 a minute. Cheryl kept waking me every half-hour to make sure I was still alive."

Seven years later, in March 2003, he spent three nights in hospital after the worst pummeling of his career against Scott Harrison. "It was a bad night but I refused to go down. I left the [post-fight] press conference and it felt like I was walking on cushions - and then I keeled over and a security man caught me. They strapped me to a stretcher and I couldn't breathe ... "

McCullough dredges up a gasping rattle at the back of his throat as he mimics that awful moment. "I only got relief from the pain in my chest when I closed my eyes. It felt peaceful but the ambulance guys wouldn't let me sleep. They thought I might've had a heart attack. You could see it on the ECG - this irregular heart beat. But it cleared and, eventually, I won my next fight [18 months later with a second round TKO of Mike Juarez]."

Since then McCullough has fought, and lost, to Larios twice. The evidence of his six defeats in 33 arduous bouts is so overwhelming that any return to the ring carries the ultimate risk. McCullough can argue that all his losses have come in genuine world title fights but the calibre of opponent he insists on facing endangers his life even further. Yet death, he says, has often shadowed him.

"When I was world champion I was far less happy than I am now. I'd done something really special in 1995 - taking the title off a tough champion [Japan's Yasuei Yakushiji] in his own backyard. But a year later, still champion, I felt empty. It sounds stupid and selfish but I spent weeks planning my suicide. Our house in Vegas had two living rooms with a thick wooden beam in the middle. My jump rope was made of leather, so I knew it would hold my weight - no problem. One night I just sat in the dark - with the rope near me. I was going to do it when Cheryl, who normally sleeps like the dead, walked in. I believe God sent her. She eventually got me to a hypnotherapist - he said I was living each day like it was my last because I didn't care whether I lived or died. He helped me get out of that state of mind."

Yet McCullough is considering another return to the ring. I look over at Cheryl and Wynona in the distance and ask him why - especially when he now gets paid $50,000 (£28,800) rather than $500,000 a fight. He explains that the British Boxing Board of Control's decision to rescind his boxing license in 2000 - when it was wrongly assumed an MRI scan had uncovered a cyst on his brain - still haunts him.

"They said one more blow to the head would kill me, but it was rubbish. The doctors' letters prove that. They stole my prime as a fighter but, even though they overturned their ruling in 2002, they never apologised for taking those two years away. So when Larios's manager says they're willing to offer another rematch - in Belfast or Dublin - of course I'm interested. I would need a fight before then and there's a chance I might get a crack at the WBA champion, [Mahyar] Monshipour [from France]. I'd fancy my chances - but I still want Larios."

McCullough agrees that Evander Holyfield and Roy Jones - the two fighters he has admired most in recent years - should both retire permanently because their speech is slurred and their reflexes are shot. His own diction and brightness of mind are impeccable, but I feel compelled to point out that, before boxing cuts him down, he has much to live for outside the ring. Apart from a family he obviously loves, he has just written a well-crafted and riveting autobiography. McCullough also writes and commentates on boxing in America. He clearly has other gifts beyond endless bravery in the ring. He could become a great trainer or simply a writer. "No one," he blushes, "apart from Cheryl and now you, has ever told me that."

Wynona's voice drifts over our heads. "Daddy ... daddy ... " she shouts in her sing-song way, as if she might pull him back to her. McCullough, such a warm father, does not seem to notice as he tells me that God has already decided his fate. He could die next year, in his last fight, or he could live for decades more if he finally retires. I remind him that he was only a year older than Wynona when, aged eight, "a wee boy with a big heart", he first stepped into a gym off the Shankill Road. Wee Wayne, at 3½ stone, weighed less than Wynona does now - 27 years is a perilously long time to have been a fighter.

McCullough nods and pats me gently on the arm. "I'm praying a lot. I'm asking God for a sign that I should stop. I say to him, 'Show me if there's something else for me out there'. I'm listening hard but I haven't heard anything clearly. Maybe I will today. But, maybe, I'll go back in the ring once or twice more - just to say a proper goodbye."

Pocket Rocket - Don't Quit! The autobiography of Wayne McCullough is published on November 17 by Mainstream Publishing at £9.99. To order a copy with free UK p&p go to guardian.co.uk/bookshop or call 0870 836 0875

kevin · Post by **kevin** » 15 Nov 2005, 05:56

Remember I have three copies to give away in the latest competition at BBN

Check on news and featured articles for the question

johnswan1 · Post by **johnswan1** » 15 Nov 2005, 06:42

You have to admire the heart of Wayne but it's not nice for his fans and family to see him taking such beatings in the ring. All the macho talk of being willing to "die in the ring" is ridiculous, foolish and selfish. Wayne needs to get out, he will have some great opportunities in commentating, journalism or training if he wants them.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 15 Nov 2005, 06:49

Agreed. But its his life, his career his family and he's fit to fight. He has control and choices.

The best thing to do to encourage him to stop is to stop watching, stop buying.

Max Molyneux · Post by **Max Molyneux** » 15 Nov 2005, 06:52

Did Freddie Roach say Wayne should be a trainer with him on some article? That would be a good idea.

Old bones Ian · Post by **Old bones Ian** » 15 Nov 2005, 07:13

DavidPayne wrote:Agreed. But its his life, his career his family and he's fit to fight. He has control and choices.

The best thing to do to encourage him to stop is to stop watching, stop buying.

Agree, its not nice to watch someone like Wayne taking a beating, but like you say if he's fit, passes the medicals and wants to box then its his desicion.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 15 Nov 2005, 07:27

Very Disturbing. This makes me think really that Wayne would rather die in the ring than admit he's through, ...its a very dangerous attitude, as much as you may admire Waynes bravery, and he really has become one of those fighters who should be forced to quit if he doesn't do it himself. He is just a tragedy waiting to happen and this article bares this out.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 15 Nov 2005, 07:31

topper123 wrote:
DavidPayne wrote:Agreed. But its his life, his career his family and he's fit to fight. He has control and choices.

The best thing to do to encourage him to stop is to stop watching, stop buying.
Agree, its not nice to watch someone like Wayne taking a beating, but like you say if he's fit, passes the medicals and wants to box then its his desicion.

He maybe 'fit' but is he fit to box still?.... does he have the skills still to defend himself. In my opinion he doesn't. If you wait till a fighter is nolonger medically fit before forcibly retiring him then its too late. Fighters should be retired when they can nolonger do anything but take punishment... that is where Wayne is now basically.

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 15 Nov 2005, 07:43

If you ban Wayne because he's not the fighter he was, how do you allow fighters who are perennial losers compete in the first place?

Why was Roy Jones allowed to box for the world-title on two knockout defeats?

How was Bowe given a licence.

Do you know how old Tony Tubbs is, on his comeback.

How many fights has Eric Crumble lost.

Look man, if he's fit to fight, the fact he loses, is neither here nor there.

Its cold, but there the facts.

punchers chance · Post by **punchers chance** » 15 Nov 2005, 09:15

I don't agree with the authorities dishing out an outright ban just because he was well beaten last time.

However I would like to see him recognise his talents are on the slide and hang up the gloves.

They say you never see yourself the way others see you and I'm afraid the article highlights some classic self delusion, very similar to Holyfield's state of mind over the last few years.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 15 Nov 2005, 09:21

Wayne seems to have a masochistic streak in him, a macho desire to prove he can take punishment, and that is a very very bad sign.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 15 Nov 2005, 13:45

Well David, I know what you mean but none of the guys above take the punishment Wayne does. Journeymen lose often but often take little puishment before folding up. People used the same excuses you are using for letting Jerry Quarry fight on... look at what happened to him!. Wayne has some disturbing parrallels to Quarry for me as he takes a hell of a lot of punches in nearly every fight and doesn't know when to quit.
As for Tony TUBBS, he too shouldn't be fighting anymore... look at Greg Page for what could happen to him.
As I said earlier being fit and fit to fight are two different things.
Theres a lot of fighters out there who should't be allowed to fight on, too many people just shrug their shoulders and say 'its there choice!' then a few years down the line when they see the person in question struggling to be understood whan he talks its 'isn't that sad!'.

The Hawk · Post by **The Hawk** » 15 Nov 2005, 13:54

Always admired McCullough, tough minded and tough in the ring and a great person to have from Belfast in the spot light.

I don't think we've seen the last of McCullough in the ring by the sounds of it, no matter what many of us think.

I don't think he needs any more hard nights and I've never met anyone as strong minded as Wayne McCullough before.

Looking forward to getting into his book. Great man.

MightyWarrior · Post by **MightyWarrior** » 15 Nov 2005, 13:59

Most people, outside the boxing world, would take a look at Wayne and what he says, and probably conclude he must be slightly punchy already, and should be retired for his own good. Rightly or wrongly, that's how it'd look.

A man with a family and millions in the bank - decides to carry on a highly dangerous career, at a stage when he's clearly past his best and taking way too much punishment. Is he thinking rationaly? They'd ask....

Someone suggested the way to safely retire Holyfield would be to limit him to 6 or 8 rounders. No way would he continue with those restrictions in place.

Boxingmad · Post by **Boxingmad** » 15 Nov 2005, 17:05

Was over in Ireland at the weekend and it is available to buy there already. Had a look and it seems a great read. He is one of the toughest buggers I've ever seen in a ring. Nice fella too.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 15 Nov 2005, 17:16

MightyWarrior wrote:Most people, outside the boxing world, would take a look at Wayne and what he says, and probably conclude he must be slightly punchy already, and should be retired for his own good. Rightly or wrongly, that's how it'd look.

A man with a family and millions in the bank - decides to carry on a highly dangerous career, at a stage when he's clearly past his best and taking way too much punishment. Is he thinking rationaly? They'd ask....

Someone suggested the way to safely retire Holyfield would be to limit him to 6 or 8 rounders. No way would he continue with those restrictions in place.

Hmm, don't know about Millions in the bank. I'm sure I heard somewhere that Wayne wasn't financially secure recently. He hasn't had any really mega-paydays.

celticwarrior · Post by **celticwarrior** » 15 Nov 2005, 18:38

Wayne's made good money, he was one of the best paid bantams ever when he was champ and was paid half a million dollars when he challenged for the WBC title. Given that he made two successful defences and then was involved in big fights with Zaragoza, Hamed and Morales he would have made plenty money and he's smart enough to have kept it as well.