SEAN McComb has had to deal with the loss of his beloved grandmother as he prepares to defend his European title in France on Saturday night.
Jean McComb was laid to rest in Belfast on Thursday and on the verge of the fight (live on DAZN) that could propel him to the world title shot he craves, the thoughts of the reigning IBF European super-lightweight champion were at home with his family.
“My family is burying my grandmother today,” he said.
“So it just shows you how hungry I am to be here.”
West Belfast fighter McComb (20-2) steps into opponent in Hugo Micallef’s backyard for his third away rumble of the year and intends to end 2025 on a winning note.
“The Monaco Boxing Federation obviously have high expectations of Hugo Micallef (11-0) and what he brings to the table,” said McComb.
“I have full belief and full trust in my own ability to overcome any challenge, even if it is in someone else’s back garden. This is what I have trained for and this is the opportunity that I want.
“This is the opportunity I want and we’re ready for it.”
The ‘Public Nuisance’ showed his resilience when he climbed off the canvas in Sheffield last time out against Ben Crocker in September. Welshman Crocker started well and landed a counter left hand after a couple of minutes that left Pete Taylor-trained southpaw stylist McComb on the seat of his pants with it all to do.
But the former Holy Trinity amateur never lost his composure. He picked off Crocker with his jab and won round after round to take an impressive points win, improving with every round. He had good support in the crowd in Sheffield and expects the same in Monte Carlo.
“The Irish always travel well, they travel in numbers,” he said.
“They can outnumber people with the noise they carry and that’s something special with Irish support.
“It’s great to give them the opportunity to come out here to a place like Monaco.”
Stylish, skilful and confident, Sean McComb intends to win on Saturday night
Meanwhile, Hugo Micallef may have home advantage but the ‘Fresh Prince of Monaco’ insists he is the underdog.
“I love when they count me out,” he said.
“All my life they have counted me out. I’m from Monaco, in the boxing world people say: ‘What, you’re from Monaco?’
“When I was an amateur in the Olympic qualification, they counted me out. In all of the tournaments I was in, they counted me out.
“On Saturday night I am going to win and say that’s because I’m in Monaco. Keep counting me out – we’ll see on Saturday night.
“I know my capacity, the team knows my capacity and the most important thing here is I believe is to come back with the title.
“I wasn’t really concerned about who the opponent was, I was more concerned about the title and that’s how and why I am here now.”
Micallef lives in Monte Carlo so he should be able to count on local support but he will find rangy, long-levered and technically brilliant McComb a difficult puzzle to solve.
“I don’t feel the pressure,” he insisted.
“I’ve already boxed in Monaco in my career maybe six or seven times and once as a professional.
“I know the ambience and I know the vibes of Monaco during fight week. I’m in my bubble until the fights finish. I don’t feel anything. When the fight finishes I feel happy and that’s the moment I can enjoy.”