Matthew Macklin’s comeback fight in a city he holds close to his heart this May.
Eddie Hearn revealed today that Macklin (31-6) would be returning in Birmingham on the card that also sees Frankie Gavin make his Matchroom debut.
We got the chance to chat to The Tipperary Tornado today and he revealed his delight at the announcement.
“Obviously it was tough coming off my last loss to [Jorge Sebastian] Heiland but I’m really excited to be given the chance to come back and try to get back on track.”
Macklin’s last bout saw him stopped in a shock loss to the Argentine fighter in November and the fan-friendly middleweight seriously toyed with the idea of retiring.
“I was never going to jump the gun and retire in front of all the cameras after the fight,” he said. “I’m quite level-headed so I took some time to think about it but it was a genuine possibility that I wouldn’t fight again.
“But being given the chance to get back in the ring and see whether or not I’m truly able to compete at this level is something that I feel I have to do.”
We asked Macklin whether he would change his come-forward fighting style to a more conservative approach in his next bout but he insisted on waiting to find out who his opponent will be before formulating a gameplan.
“I’ll have to wait to see who I’m fighting but I’m not going to change my philosophy too much. I’m an aggressive fighter and always will be but I’ll be careful not to lead with my face or anything.”
It’s a busy week for Macklin as he will also be taking part in Strictly Spin this Friday where he will be dancing in aid of Irish Homeless Street Leagues.
#ReturnOfTheMack but this time to the dance floor! @mattmacklin @IrishStLeague this Friday 30th #StrictlySpin pic.twitter.com/Ejlo8HLbjA
— Maria Carron (@MariaCarron19) January 25, 2015
Tickets cost €20 and all information about the event, which takes place at Red Cow Morans Hotel, are available at www.IrishStreetLeague.com.
Stay tuned to SportsJOE.com for an upcoming video with Macklin in which he discusses a potential meeting with Andy Lee, his heartbreak after the Heiland loss and his passion for Tipperary Hurling.Â
