TYRONE MCCULLAGH says Friday night’s meeting with Carlos Araugo will feel like a throwback to his amateur days.
The fight at York Hall is part of the groundbreaking ‘Golden Contract’ featherweight tournament.
The eight-man elimination tournament will see fighters trying to win a five-fight contract.
Friday’s quarter-finals will be followed by semi-finals early in 2020 with the final to take place in the summer.
WBO European Super Bantamweight holder McCullagh (13-0, 6KOs) faces Mexican Araujo in his quarter-final.
The draw was made yesterday with the fighters drawn for either blue balls or red.
Leigh Wood, Jazza Dickens, Hairon Socarras and McCullagh all selected blue balls, meaning they were able to pick out of David Oliver Joyce, Carlos Ramos, Ryan Walsh and Carlos Araujo, who all selected red balls.
McCullagh had the last of the blues, meaning he was left with Araujo.
McCullagh said: “I wanted a red ball, but being blue ball number four is just the same. They’re all quality lads so you’re going to be up against it and in a quality fight no matter who you pick.”
McCullagh defeated Alvaro Rodriguez in May in Newcastle having previously won the strap against Josh Kennedy last October.
The Glen Road man says waiting to hear his opponent took him back.
He said: “It’s been different, a bit like the amateur days. It;’s been a throwback, but I’ve prepared well in camp and I’m ready for Friday night. Roll on Friday!”
Friday’s event will be broadcast live in the UK by Sky Sports in association with Matchroom Boxing, in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank, with the undercard on iFL TV worldwide.
Sports writer from St Johnston, now based in Letterkenny, with ten years’ experience covering sport in Donegal. Was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.