Paul McCloskey's team have told promoter Eddie Hearn that the
popular Irishman will not appear on Matchroom's September 22 show
in Belfast if a world ranked opponent cannot be found.
Hearn has said that the former European light-welterweight
champion will return to action on the card that is topped by Carl
Frampton's clash with Kiko Martinez, but McCloskey's manager,
Francie McNicholl, has said it all depends of the level of
opposition lined up.
"The situation is that we haven't agreed anything as yet. We
have a couple of options that we're looking at present but
what Eddie is proposing for us at the minute we're not too
happy with," McNicholl told the Derry Journal.
"There's been nothing agreed with regards to Paul but we hope to
have that resolved in the next couple of weeks. If we can find
a suitable opponent - someone we deem to be a suitable
opponent - then Paul will take part in the September 22nd
show.
"We would like to keep in with the guys that are ranked in the
top 20. We still think that's where Paul should
be. Certain people think we should be going back to domestic
or European level but Paul would like to remain in that top 20
bracket of world contenders.
"At this time we wouldn't be happy with British or European
level fighters but while we're not ruling out anything, we
just don't feel we're that far back yet."
Indeed, McCloskey has been longing for a return with Amir Khan.
"Dudey" controversially lost to the Bolton favourite on a cut last
year but a rematch still remains unlikely.
24/07/2012 12:03:21