Wayne McCullough has sent an open letter to Bernard Dunne to try and lure him into an all-Irish showdown.
Veteran steps up bid to fight Bernard - title or no title
Wayne McCullough has issued an open letter calling out world champion Bernard Dunne.
The 38-year-old is willing to put friendship to one side and challenge for the WBA super-bantamweight title, won by Dunne at the weekend.
McCullough has already
put forward the idea of an all-Irish showdown but has now gone one step further and sent out a direct request to his compatriot.
And the former WBC bantamweight champion says he is even willing to fight without the WBA title.
"We don't have to fight for your belt but that would be a bonus," McCullough says in the open letter.
"You're a world champion and no-one can ever take that away from you, so what do you have to lose? Anyway when I beat you, the belt is going to stay with an Irishman!!!
"I have cemented my legacy in boxing and fought the best along the way. Right now, you are the champion and I'm sure you too will want to prove that you are the best. To be the best, you have to beat the best. So fight me!
"I believe in my confidence, chin, talent and heart that I have what it takes to defeat you. Can you say the same thing?"
McCullough's open letter to Bernard Dunne
Bernard,
Congratulations on your great win at the weekend - you deserve it. You've worked hard to get where you are today. Being able to come back from the 5th round to pull out the win, while being so far behind on the cards, is an accomplishment in itself.
Doesn't it feel good to be a World Champion?!? I'm really delighted for you. And being able to fight for the belt in front of your hometown fans is fantastic too.
But let's get down to business!
When I sat down with you in Dublin in January - while I was there for the UFC fights - I mentioned that we should fight whether you won or lost because this is a match-up the fans want to see.
Since the weekend I've had dozens of emails from our fans saying we need to fight as it would be the biggest event in Irish history.
So Bernard what do you say? Let's get this done. I don't have a promoter so the fight can be made easily - if you and your team want it! I'm an over-the-hill old man so I'm not going to be much of a threat to you!!!
I know you've said in the past that you won't fight me because I'm your 'hero' but Oscar de la Hoya fought Julio Cesar Chavez who was his hero. So that shouldn't be an excuse.
Not since 1962 when Johnny Caldwell and Freddie Gilroy fought, have two guys from the same country fighting in the same weight class at the same time been able to meet at this level.
We don't have to fight for your belt but that would be a bonus. You're a world champion and no-one can ever take that away from you, so what do you have to lose? Anyway when I beat you, the belt is going to stay with an Irishman!
I have cemented my legacy in boxing and fought the best along the way. Right now, you are the champion and I'm sure you too will want to prove that you are the best. To be the best, you have to beat the best. So fight me!
I believe in my confidence, chin, talent and heart that I have what it takes to defeat you. Can you say the same thing?
Enjoy your success, Bernard. I'm proud of you!
Your friend, Wayne McCullough
