GBM ANNOUNCE SEAN MCCOMB SIGNING, MAKES PROMOTIONAL DEBUT ON JUNE 28 SHOW IN GALWAY
After GBM's successful first stadium show in Doncaster on Friday night, they have since announced a new signing to their ever-growing stable with the introduction of junior welterweight contender Sean McComb.
McComb (18-2, 5 KOs), who won and made two defences of the WBO European title before losing in a career-best opportunity against Arnold Barboza Jr in April 2024, hasn't boxed since. Next month though, the 32-year-old will end a 14-month layoff 200 miles from home.
The opponent and round length has not yet been disclosed, though he spoke of a readiness to compete in a six, eight or ten-rounder to shake off the ring rust after an emotional rollercoaster that should've culminated with far more success and fanfare.
His career, ala Maxi Hughes in the division below, was expected to catapult and opportunities arise after a masterful display against then-unbeaten Barboza on the Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia undercard at Brooklyn's Barclays Center in New York.
Instead, judges Don Trella (97-93) and Tom Shreck (96-94) had a differing view than the vast majority watching to give Barboza a split decision nod.
Talk of an immediate rematch quickly went cold without a contractual clause negotiated and without a firm promotional deal, any promises or well-intentioned plans went unfulfilled.
As he told The Ring in March, the Belfast southpaw has been proactively ticking over while searching for further opportunities against quality domestic names to prove his Barboza display wasn't a fluke and rather his long-awaited breakthrough performance.
Barboza's activity on away soil saw many praise him for risk-taking adventures afterwards, having since scored decision wins over Jose Carlos Ramirez and Jack Catterall, the latter to win interim WBO world honours, before being outclassed by Teofimo Lopez on May 2.
One of the top comments on social media underneath this signing refers back to the Barboza result and a long-held wish for the two men to do battle a second time.
Last month, McComb told the Belfast Telegraph that after being misled in the immediate aftermath, he's now over a potential rematch. While not currently ranked by any of the four major sanctioning bodies, will do whatever it takes to earn a world title shot in due course.
"Back in the changing room, his dad was talking about getting me over for 'lefty' [southpaw] sparring. I asked about the rematch but they suddenly were saying, 'The promoters deal with that' and I knew then, they would never give it to me. Pete [Taylor, his coach] said it was going to put me in a worse position - nobody would want to fight me.
"I just don't want to be known for the Barboza fight and now I don't even want the rematch. I would love Lopez to skelp him, I can bypass to get my own crack at the world title so I can prove how good I am."
Barboza's stock has predictably fallen and his WBO ranking is now No. 5 after his first defeat, one many feel was long overdue after two high-profile split decision victories over ten months, though it's not an avenue he's likely to pursue in a rebuild anytime soon.
McComb, ranked No. 6 before the Barboza fight, accepted an offer to fight two-division world champion Devin Haney on the Beterbiev-Bivol undercard in October. Haney (32-0, 15 KOs, 1 NC) opted instead to sit the rest of the year out before an underwhelming points win over Jose Ramirez in Times Square earlier this month.
There was an opportunity to box at the SSE Arena on March 1 as part of the Paddy Donovan vs. Lewis Crocker undercard, though it 'didn't feel like the right step' and it appears he'll venture down a different path after agreeing terms to face Pierce O'Leary (16-0, 9 KOs) on last month's Chris Eubank Jr vs. Conor Benn undercard at Tottenham.
O'Leary, who defends his WBC International title when facing Liam Dillon (15-2-1, 3 KOs) for the EBU strap vacated by WBC's No. 1-ranked contender Dalton Smith on June 7, could be an option in his home city as a potential headline fight at year's end.
"Things are starting to look more positive, if I have to rebuild again, I will. I've been actively training and sparring, there is the conversation between me and Pierce at the 3Arena. Hopefully he comes through his European title fight and can defend it against me in a huge all-Irish fight."
