Wayne McCullough has praised rising boxing star Scott Thompson for following in his footsteps and swapping Northern Ireland for Las Vegas.
The ‘Pocket Rocket’ famously made the move to America after winning silver at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona before securing the WBC Bantamweight title three years later under the tutelage of the legendary Eddie Futch.
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Nevada is now home to the 55-year-old, with McCullough wanting to pass on his knowledge to more Irish boxers and talented Ballyclare teenager Thompson, who is turning pro, is one he feels can thrive under his coaching.
“Scott has sent me some videos of his sparring and his mitt work with his dad. It’s great work,” McCullough told BBC Sport NI.
“One of the kids I have here at the moment, Martin, is from Dublin and he knows Scott. They actually fought each other.
“I’ve got Matthew and Sean Tyndall from Bray here too. They based themselves here to train with me. They made that sacrifice to come here and Scott can do that too.”
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McCullough knows it is not an easy decision to leave home but it is one he feels will benefit young boxers.
“You have to make sacrifices in boxing. I was a homebird growing up. When I went away for a week with the Irish team I was crying to get home,” added McCullough.
“I was contracted to come to Las Vegas for three years and then go back home, but things change, your life changes.
“I love Belfast, I always will, but I love Las Vegas and I’ve lived here longer than I have Belfast now.
“The Irish fighters want to come here now too, and I’m happy they are coming because they are going to learn a lot more.”
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A confident Thompson – who enjoyed a decorated amateur career – believes a world title lies in his future.
“I’ll be world champion someday, that’s been my dream since I was a kid,” said the multiple Irish champion.
“I truly believe I’ll be the best to come out of Northern Ireland ever. I’m just going to prove that.”
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