Creggan southpaw Sean McGlinchey could hardly have imagined that stepping through the ropes would mean so much.
On Friday night, McGlinchey takes to the canvas at the Titanic Exhibition Centre in Belfast to end 16 months of hell.
Pictured are Seamus Cunning, Tyrone McCullagh, Sean McGlinchey and Charlie Nash. Picture by Joe Boland, North West News Pix
McGlinchey hasn’t boxed since a June 2017 win over Dan Blackwell at the Waterfront Hall.
In that time, he had his boxing licence revoked by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) after having sustained nerve damage that put paid to a Celtic Nations title bout.
‘Mummy’s Bhoy’ admits that he wondered if he’d ever lace the gloves again during a time when he says the BBBC acted on anonymous rumours to take his licence. It meant he missed out on the Last Man Standing tournament and he split with trainer Glenn McCrory
He received a licence from the Boxing Union of Ireland (BUI) and he’s ready for action again.
“It’s been a rollercoaster year and a half, but I’m buzzing to get back in the ring again,” says the 2012 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist.
“I’ve been out a long time. It’s amazing to come back again. It’s been hard. A few things happened that were out of my hands and out of my control. I just want to get back in now and get on track for titles.”
McGlinchey thought long and hard about quitting the sport, but his father, Mickey, helped persuade him to continue.
McGlinchey lines up on Friday on a bill that includes Tyrone McCullagh’s quest for a European super-bantamweight title.
He says: “It’s making up for lost time. It’s a four-round fight and it’s going to get me back in the ring again.
“The goal was to get on this show. I was told no at the start, but I have the chance now.
“I’ve been ready and waiting for a chance for a while now. I just want to get in, look impressive, win and catch the eye of some promoter.”
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