Sean McComb admits the final 20 months have examined him greater than any combat contained in the ring — however insists Saturday’s IBF European gentle welterweight title conflict with Ben Crocker is proof his persistence has paid off.
The Belfast southpaw has endured a rollercoaster spell since his controversial defeat to Arnold Barboza Jr. on the huge Hanney-Garcia invoice in 2023.
That night time was alleged to be the one which introduced him on the world stage. As a substitute, he was left nursing a broadly disputed factors loss. Such was his efficiency and the outcome, he grew to become the ‘excessive danger low reward’ poster boy and has since endured a protracted spell of uncertainty.
“It’s been very robust, I’ll not lie,” McComb advised Irish-boxing.com. “Psychologically, it was robust. I assumed that combat would have put my identify among the many elites, so I went straight again to coaching with Pete [Taylor]. My supervisor on the time promised me an enormous combat, however one after one other, all of them fell via. Even the combat with Sam Maxwell fell via. It was very difficult, as a result of I used to be coaching arduous with nothing to indicate for it.”
Whereas many would have walked away, ‘The Public Nuisance’ stayed the course. He admits he even needed to take a six-rounder “for cash” simply to remain lively, however the love of boxing — and a burning perception that he belonged on the high — saved him in it.
“I like boxing and I like coaching, that’s what saved me going. However for anybody else, it might have been straightforward to name it quits. To go from co-main occasion on a Haney-Garcia invoice to a six-rounder was a protracted street. Fortunately, GBM and my new crew got here in, obtained me the appropriate platform, and obtained me again within the combine.”
Now, the distinctive southpaw has the prospect to place these frustrations behind him. Victory in Sheffield on Saturday would ship him one other belt, however extra importantly, it might put him again on the map.
“Issues don’t occur to you, they occur for you,” McComb mirrored. “That’s what I consider. I’ve obtained a promoter and supervisor working properly collectively, they usually’ve obtained huge plans for me. The IBF European is the appropriate route, and from there it’s about pushing again to the world stage.”
The favored Belfast fighter insists he’s by no means doubted his potential — or his place among the many greatest.
“I can actually beat anybody. My fashion is irregular, awkward, one thing folks don’t wish to face. I’ve all the time believed that. Now it’s about proving it once more on the appropriate stage.”
