PAUL McCloskey has rubbished claims he is going to call time on his boxing career.
The Dungiven southpaw was stopped in his last fight by DeMarcus Corley at the King’s Hall in the 10th round of their Light welterweight clash, when he was on the verge of a World title shot.
Some people have suggested that ‘Dudey’ should hang up the gloves after a disappointing display from the former British and European Champion.
But McCloskey is adamant he is far from finished.
“I am not retiring. I have never thought that or said that.
“Against Corley I had my first bad night in seven years.
“It was a hurtful defeat and a hard pill to swallow, but I will be back. You can count on that,” he added.
And McCloskey says he will know the time to walk away from the sport.
“Look, I am not in boxing for the craic. I am here to win and earn a living. But if I thought for two seconds that I was not up to it – I would walk away.
“I have a great family behind me, a great team and I come from a great wee town who have given me fantastic support.
“There are other things in my life and I have other things I want to achieve, but I still have lots to offer boxing.
“But if I thought for two seconds I could not perform as I know I can, that would be it,” said McCloskey.
But he is determined to put the record straight the next time he climbs between the ropes.
“I am going to be out again before the end of the year.
“They were talking about September or October but I will be back again definitely this year.
“I am heading back to the gym and will be coming back to get back to winning ways and move on.”
And McCloskey admitted he has yet to watch a recording of Corley beating him in the King’s Hall in June.
“I am going to watch it, I have it recorded.
“The defeat was a hard pill to swallow, but I will take a look at it in the coming days.
“I have taken time off to recharge the batteries and take a break from boxing – but I am ready to go again.
“I just had a bad day at the office and Corley got the job done.
“I should have beaten him and I am convinced on any other night I would have beaten him.
“But credit to him, he came here and got the job done,” added McCloskey.
And the Dungiven native is still at a loss to what went wrong that night.
“My preparation was great and I was flying in the gym. Everything about my training was spot-on.
“If I had brought that sharpness and level of performance into the fight, I would have beaten Corley.
“It just did not happen for me that night. It was very disappointing performance and result but I am determined to return,” said McCloskey.
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