By Phil D. Jay
Former European light-welterweight champion Paul “Dudey” McCloskey is destined for another world title shot in the future, but Promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Sport admits it will not be against previous opponent and WBA belt holder Amir Khan.
Hearn, along with his father Barry, were both furious at how the bout between McCloskey, 31, and the champion was stopped on an innocuous cut after six rounds a week last Saturday and have written to the WBA for answers, but know it is not likely to get them the rematch they require.
“The cut wasn’t that bad,” Hearn told Adam Smith and Johnny Nelson on Sky Sports Ringside show.
“I hate to sound like sour grapes, but everybody has a plan and Paul McCloskey’s plan was to come on in the later rounds. You never really got the chance to see if our plan would have worked.”
“It’s a world title fight, it’s the boys dream. At least give him a chance or the corner a chance to work on it (the cut). It was a cut that was dripping down his nose, not in his eye.”
The Irishman now looks set to focus on one of the other 140lb belt holders, but with Timothy Bradley holding two of the other three belts and favorite for face Khan next, that would only leave Zab Judah as an option for Hearn to focus on.
Marcos Maidana holds the interim title, but has been linked with a rematch with Erik Morales in the late summer. The only man to beat Khan, Breidis Prescott, who won last Friday night has been touted as a possible option for “Dudey.”
“Paul has proved he can operate at a world level and already now we are talking to other champions. Obviously we would love a Khan rematch, will that happen? Unlikely, but Paul McCloskey has proved he deserves another shot and we will be looking at that,” added Hearn.
Phil D. Jay covers the boxing scene for worldboxingnews.net