Wayne aims to rule world

Pocket Rocket ready to explode as he hits the comeback trail

Last updated: 24th October 2007

Wayne McCullough_in action against Oscar Larios

McCullough: In action in 2005

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Wayne McCullough insists he is in great shape as he prepares to face European champion Kiko Martinez.

The 37-year-old Irishman will climb back into the ring for the first time in two years in a non-title 10-rounder on December 1.

Spaniard Martinez, who knocked out Bernard Dunne in 88 seconds to claim the European belt, is certainly not an easy opponent for the former world bantamweight champion.

However, McCullough is confident he can call on past experiences to help him inflict a first defeat on Martinez.

Bigger punchers

"I haven't stopped training twice a day for two years so I know that I'll be ready for Martinez," he said.

"He's unbeaten and has a lot of knockouts on his record but I've been in with bigger punchers - guys like Erik Morales and Naseem Hamed and they couldn't put me down.

"He hasn't fought in my class before - when he beat Dunne he caught him cold and caught him around the temple and that can happen to anyone."

Despite Martinez's impressive record, McCullough is already looking beyond his next fight and is targeting a crack at Israel Vasquez in 2008.

His last shot at winning a world belt was back in 2005 when he lost twice to then WBC bantamweight champion Oscar Larios.

He added: "I believe if I beat Martinez then I can go on to fight for a world title maybe against Israel Vasquez next year."