Sean McComb opens up on 'unforgiving sport of boxing' as he plots comeback

Sean McComb insists he is all-too aware of the 'unforgiving' nature of boxing. He has experienced enough in the sport to accept there are as many pitfalls as there is glory.

His thoughts are punctuated by his defeat to Arnold Barboza Jr. The 31-year-old produced the performance of his career at the Barclays Centre in New York, only to lose out on a controversial split decision.

It denied McComb a potential shot at a world title, for now, but the 'Public Nuisance' is already on the comeback trail and gunning for glory.

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"The Barboza fight took a long time to get over. To be honest it still affects me. Like, where do I stand now?" McComb told Belfast Live.

"I should be sitting here now knowing exactly what happens next. But suddenly everything is in limbo. I have got this far without a promoter. I have never had promotional backing.

"The rest of those boys have that backing. And if I had someone like Eddie Hearn in my corner, he would not be shutting up about the Barboza fight and me being robbed.

"But I don't have that big name pushing my name out there. Imagine if I had that big game constantly selling me and pushing me out there."

April 20, 2024 should have been one of McComb's biggest nights in the ring, and a career highlight. Instead, his memories are soured by a highly contentious defeat.

Not only did it rob him of a world title opportunity, but also a lucrative pay day which could sort his family for life.

He married long-time partner Dearbhlá Ní Mhadáin on June 21, and the couple have a young son together, Cairbre.

"It is an unforgiving sport and these opportunities don't come around often. I was robbed in that last fight and it hurts, but I won't allow it to keep me down," he said.

"I will push on and continue performing well. And I can beat the world's best, my performances have proved that.

"And my goals remain the same. I want to be world champion."

McComb added: "It has been all go recently with the wedding, and then we will go away on a wee holiday. Just for a break and some time to ourselves.

"The I will come back and knuckle down with the boxing and give it everything. We are pushing for a fight in September. If a bigger fight comes before then, we will take it.

"I only had four weeks' notice for the Barboza fight so I know I can do a quick turnaround. But if I get a full camp behind me I can beat anyone. So I am ready to go again.

"We don't have any names floating around. We have been putting pressure on Golden Boy Promotions to give us the Barboza rematch. They say they will give us another big name if Barboza doesn't want the rematch. Who, I don't know.

"But I think Golden Boy owe me one. We put the ball in Barboza's camp, but he just can't handle my style.

"Barboza has a point to prove after fighting me. A lot of people know I won that fight. I exploited so many weaknesses in him, that a lot of other fighters haven't before.

"He has to correct those issues moving forward."

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