McCloskey setting his sights high

Boxing:Unbeaten Derry light-welterweight Paul McCloskey will make a significant move up in class when he fights former world champion Souleymane M'baye for the vacant European title in Paris on July 3rd.

The bout will be in front of hostile home support for the Frenchman but McCloskey’s trainer John Breen says the offer was too good to turn down and insists his man has no issues heading into the “lions den”.

“They could fight in M’baye’s front room as far as I’m concerned and Paul would still beat him. I’ve said all along he’s a World Champion in the making and he’ll prove that again that winning a European title on the road,” said Breen.

McCloskey (19 (9) — 0) is five years M’baye’s junior at 29, but the Parisian is an experienced puncher with 21 knockouts from 37 wins, though he has only won two of his last five bouts.

“I used to watch a lot of M’baye’s early fights when I was still in the amateurs,” said McCloskey yesterday.

”He’s very slick, durable and he can punch a bit himself. There’s no doubt about it he’s a world class operator, you don’t win world titles without being world class. He’s only been beaten 3 times in 41 fights and he has wins over some very good fighters including Andriy Kotelnik, who’s defending his world title against Amir Khan this month.”

That win over Kotelnik was a split decision in 2004 and the pair drew their second meeting in 2007.

A European belt would considerably enhance McCloskey’s credentials and, looking ahead, the British title-holder said he would “relish” a chance to face Khan if they both emerge victorious from their respective bouts.

“This is a huge opportunity for me,” added the southpaw. “Manny Pacquiao aside there is no one in the division that’s setting the world alight.

“Winning the European title would set me up nicely for a shot at a world title.

“Obviously, I’d like to consolidate at European level first with a couple of defences, but if Amir Khan can take the world title off Kotelnik in a few weeks time, then that’s a fight I would relish at some point down the road.”