Belfast’s Sean McComb warns Richardson Hitchins his days as world champion are numbered
Sean McComb, the new IBF European super-lightweight champion, has warned Richardson Hitchins his time as a world champion is drawing to a close.
The Belfast-based fighter made the claim after dethroning Ben Crocker of Wales over 12 hard-fought rounds in Sheffield last month.
With the dust now settling on a triumph which is expected to relaunch a career which appeared in danger of stalling following a controversial defeat to Arnold Barboza Jr at New York’s Barclay Centre, McComb used an exclusive interview with SportsBoom to place Hitchins on notice.
“I believe I can get to the very top,” the talented Northern Irishman told SportsBoom.co.uk.
“The obvious route to get there is to look at who’s the IBF champion and that’s Hitchins. That’s who I’m looking for.
“I’ll take on anyone but I’m going to be well-ranked with the IBF now and so that’s the obvious one, isn’t it. People won’t be able to deny me any more now. That ranking is only going to get better again so that’s the one I think is going to happen.
“I want big fights now. I don’t want to be hanging around and I don’t think I should be, because I’ve proved I’m worthy of them. Everyone knows it now.
“Richardson is obviously a quality fighter,” McComb continued.
“So am I. Doing this, getting this belt, just confirms that for everyone else. I always knew it but, let’s be honest, this reinforces that in my mind.
“So, genuinely, I think it’s going to make me even better. It’s going to make me more complete. It’s all about kicking on from here, now. I know I can do that.”
The win over Crocker, who McComb described as being “a much tougher opponent” than Barboza Jr, should prove the catalyst for a series of high-profile and lucrative bouts for the 33-year-old.
A strong amateur pedigree, he won a bronze medal at the 2015 European Games, failed to translate into the kind of opportunities others with his background have been afforded after turning professional.
After bouncing back from a loss to Gavin Gwynne, seven successive victories secured McComb a date against the then unbeaten Barboza Jr, who would later overcome Jack Catterall in a WBO world title eliminator.
Although many in the audience Stateside thought McComb had done enough to secure a decision, two of the three judges scored in the Mexican/American’s favour instead.
However, the experience of mixing in such decorated company proved crucial during an enthralling chess-match of a clash with Crocker.
“Ben really surprised me,” McComb said.
“I never thought he’d come in and try to counter-punch me, so I had to think my way through.”
“It was a tactical fight and that’s something I’ve been able to build up, that tactical knowledge, thanks to what I’ve done and my brilliant team who prepared me so well.”
“That’s another reason why I’ve got so much confidence in me now,” continued McComb, lavishing praise on trainer Pete Taylor and fellow coaches.
“I’m in there doing it, throwing the punches. It’s a lonely, individual sport but I know they’ve got my back in there and we’re a real team. So that feels good. That’s a massive positive.”
With Hitchins, who remains unbeaten, expected to return to the ring early next year, McComb is now plotting his route towards the Brooklyn boxer.
“I’m going to have another big fight coming up, that’s already in the pipeline which is great to know,” he said.
“Then, I’ll be looking at Hitchins around this time next year, maybe November or something.
“Before, I didn’t know when I’d be out there next, which didn’t help. Now, I already knew I had a date before this one.
“I knew I couldn’t overlook Ben but that’s given me real focus too, because I can see it all coming together.”