Tommy McCarthy claimed the vacant European cruiserweight belt on Saturday night with a majority decision victory over Belgian Bilal Laggoune at the Wembley Arena.
Judges scored the fight 114-114, 116-112 and 116-113. It was the 29-year-old Belfast fighter's fourth consecutive win since he lost to Richard Riakporhe in March of last year.
"First thing, I want to shout out to my wife, Amy, I love you," a delighted McCarthy, now 17-2 in his pro career, told Sky Sports after the fight.,
"I want to shout out to my four daughter Cara, Branna, Aniya and Kiya. Daddy's bringing the belt home, I love all of you. I want to shout out to my team as well."
McCarthy said he's now done with the European circuit and wants to face IBF cruiserweight champion Mairis Briedis next.
Champion of Europe!! 🥊🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/xgwnohVAnv
— Tommy McCarthy (@Tommymac90) October 31, 2020
"This means the world to me," he said.
"I knew it was going to be tough before and then at the weigh-in, when Bilal took his top off, [I thought] 'This guy hasn't trained'. [Then] I thought it was going to be easy but he surprised me. Shout out to Bilal, he's a true great.
"I'm the European champ. I'm the roughest, toughest bad boy outta Belfast. I'm the first Irish black European champion. It's black history month as well.
"I'm the king. I'm the toughest man in Europe now. I want Mairis Briedis, the best cruiserweight in the world at the minute.
"I know I'm calm now but it's just because I'm easy-going. I'm buzzing inside and my thoughts are all over the place.
"All of west Belfast behind me as well. I'm coming back to Belfast. All the bars are locked down but when they open up again, don't forget about me. I want everyone buying me a pint. I'm not bringing up my wallet - I never bring my wallet anyway - but I'm definitely not bringing it."
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