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Last Updated:  Wednesday, 26 March, 2003, 07:33 GMT
McCullough leaves hospital
McCullough's career may now be over
Many feel McCullough was allowed to take too much punishment
Wayne McCullough was discharged from the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow on Tuesday nearly three days after his defeat to Scott Harrison in a WBO featherweight title fight.

The Irish boxer is considering his future taking a heavy beating in Saturday's bout.

McCullough was admitted to hospital suffering from dehydration, with his camp denying rumours he collapsed immediately after the fight.

The 32-year-old might now decide the time is right to quit.

Pressed on his future plans, McCullough hinted that his decision would be a very hard one by joking about being a "crazy Irishman."

The McCullough camp issued a statement in which the boxer thanked hospital staff for their assistance.

He said: "I am grateful to staff and doctors at the Southern General Hospital who treated me after the fight.

"I will take a few days' rest before returning home to Las Vegas."

Their corner should have stopped the fight
Scott Harrison

McCullough also used his statement to praise the supporters who had cheered him on in his ultimately fruitless quest.

"The atmosphere in the arena and my passion for the sport definitely got me through the later rounds.

"I thank God we both came through safely. I respect Scott Harrison and agree that he is a true world champion."

The British Boxing Board of Control refused to give McCullough a license three years ago when a cyst was found on his brain.

However, the Irishman was cleared to box in America and the BBBC consequently relented and McCullough was allowed to fight again in Britain last September when he beat Johannes Maisa.

But in a brutal and one-sided fight against Harrison the Irishman's bravery and durability were tested as he withstood some ferocious punches from the Scotsman.

Scott Harrison was far too strong for McCullough
Scott Harrison dominated the fight from start to finish

However, despite being so far behind and clearly struggling, McCullough's corner refused to throw in the towel.

The Las Vegas-based fighter's record of having never been stopped remained intact, albeit at a price.

Afterwards, the Harrison camp were critical of McCullough's corner man Kenny Croom, for allowing his fighter to take such a beating.

Harrison said: "I thought their corner should have stopped the fight."

Harrison's manager Frank Maloney said: "I was totally surprised by the lack of compassion from their corner.

"That was an accident waiting to happen here and thankfully we got to the 12th round and the fight was over.

I signalled to their corner to stop the fight around about the ninth
Peter Harrison

"I'm sure if it was the other way round, Peter Harrison would have pulled his man out of the fight."

Harrison's trainer and father Peter said: "Kenny Croom didn't do his job.

"I signalled to their corner to stop the fight around about the ninth because Scott was hitting him with too many shots.

"Croom is supposed to be a student of Eddie Futch but Futch would never have allowed it to happen."

Fight promoter Frank Warren said: "The fight should have been stopped.

"I'm surprised because Kenny is a nice guy and he learned the trade with Eddie Futch and we all know what Eddie Futch did with Joe Frazier".




WATCH AND LISTEN
WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison
"It was a terrific fight for the fans"


SEE ALSO
Harrison in awesome form
22 Mar 03  |  Boxing

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