Legends of Boxing Museum’s New Inductee
Wayne McCullough has worn championship belts since 1994–first as an NABF Bantamweight titlist, next as the reigning WBC Bantamweight Champion won in 1995. The beloved boxer from Belfast can add one more prestigious title to his successful career as a champion prizefighter: WBC Boxing Champion Legend.
As a 2010 Inductee of the highest honor, the “Pocket Rocket” takes his well-deserved place alongside the elite in the sweet science. During the awards ceremony this past weekend at Dr. Jose Sulaiman’s World Boxing Council Legends of Boxing Museum (WBC LBM) in the Inland Empire, I had a chance to catch up with the slugger from North Ireland before the induction began.
A former 1988 and 1992 Olympian and Silver Medalist, the well-regarded Irishman (27-7, 18 KOs) has fought throughout the world including all over the U.S., Ireland, Scotland, Japan, England and the Cayman Islands.
The Eddie Futch-trained fighter, known for his fierceness, heart and determination, had two pretty companions at his side, wife Cheryl and their daughter Wynona Leigh. The boxer/trainer and his family, former longtime Vegas residents, now make their home in Southern California, where they have all been thriving in the SoCal boxing scene and beyond. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the McCullough family at previous boxing events and I was looking forward to chatting with the friendly trio.
As a boxer, Wayne has always been a fan favorite and respected as a humble and classy champion. As a pro he was certainly a crowd pleaser for his triumphs in the ring. He’s got a huge fan base in both boxing and the world of mixed martial arts. Now on the day of his legendary induction, McCullough was very appreciative in wanting to keep the focus on his family, friends–and the fans worldwide–who all helped make his childhood dreams come true.
With the “Luck o’ the Irish” behind him, he was born on the unique date of 07-07-70. But as a boy who self-admittedly came from nothing, the man is now able to give back to others–something he is very honored and proud to do. At just eight years old, McCullough began to box in the dankest and barest of gyms you could ever imagine–with no electricity, running water, toilets or heat! In this exclusive conversation, hear the newest WBC Legend’s thoughts on his award, his noteworthy efforts to help kids in need, and if he has passed that “championship boxing gene” on to his daughter!
Michele Chong: Congratulations, Wayne, on receiving the WBC Legend award. Tell me what this means to you.
Wayne McCullough: Thank you. Well, I’m Ireland’s first ever and only WBC World Champion, so it’s a bit of history. And I’m just honored to be here and get an award like this!
MC: Your fans here have been great–you haven’t stopped signing autographs or posing for pictures since you’ve been here.
WM: The fans are what makes a fighter, you know what I mean? And you know, I’ll never forget my fans! I always sign autographs; I always take pictures–and I will always do that. (As if on cue, an excited fan comes up to ask for a photo as Wayne cheerfully obliges.)
WM: (Continues) The fans, they love to get autographs and pictures and this is a great opportunity to do that today. And there’s a lot of good champions in here today–and I’m honored just to be one of them.
MC: You’ve also received a lot of support from your fellow fighters–and with your new charity, “IHOW.”
WM: IHOW! For International House of Wayne. It’s a charity that was on my Twitter. The girl is from Maryland, we call her “figgybean”! It’s her and a guy from England–they started this International House of Wayne. They made T-shirts and now I’ve started my charity; I’m doing the paperwork right now. People like MMA fighters and boxers are giving stuff like gloves and T-shirts; and they’re all going to be auctioned off next year. We’re gonna give to underprivileged kids–not just in America–but around the world! I want to help people.
MC: Sounds like a great way to help kids.
WM: Yeah, when I was a kid coming up I didn’t have anything. My boxing gym had nothing! And with a little bit of help if you give somebody a thousand dollars for some equipment, it will help a lot of people. I didn’t have anything–but I want to be able to give back. Especially start back in my own community back in Ireland first because they are poverty-stricken there. But then I’ll go around the WHOLE world!
MC: Helping people through both IHOW and boxing…
WM: Yes! Cheryl, we’ve already got a lot of things from celebrities, haven’t we?
Cheryl McCullough: Yes, lots of celebrities from around the world have given stuff. And also a lot of actor and actresses too!
WM: You know Randy Couture? The MMA fighter has also given stuff, Zab Judah has too, and “Dog the Bounty Hunter”–who I love to watch–he’s gonna give me some stuff too.
MC: So it’s really snowballed quickly…
WM: Oh yeah! Everybody has given stuff through “figgybeans”! They Tweet everyone and people have given money and some memorabilia that we’ll auction off and get money for the charity. Hopefully, next year we’ll be even bigger–and we’ll have more people on board too. I just want to give back. See, I never had anything or anyone to help me or my sport. So a thousand dollars goes a long way to some kids, especially boxers that come from bad neighborhoods–they don’t have ANYTHING! But…If you give them a pair of boxing boots or a pair of gloves, it’s gonna help.
MC: And speaking of kids, tell me what’s new with your daughter–she’s a star! I’ve had the chance to hear her sing live. (Wayne smiles to his left toward Wynona Leigh.)
WM: My daughter, she IS a star! She’s singing, she’s acting, she’s dancing. She does a lot of hip hop with Brooklyn Jai. Brooklyn Jai is the best coach in the world! The guy is unbelievable. She’s doing great and she loves it all–the singing part of it and the dancing she really loves too.
MC: How old are you now, Wynona?
Wynona Leigh McCullough: I’m 12.
WM: She’ll be 13 next year, at the end of March–a TEENAGER!
MC: Wayne, you’re a boxer. Is that how you’re gonna keep the boys away from her?
WM: (Laughs) She can fight! I’ve taught her to fight. (Wynona gives us her best game face.) Look at that “look” she just gave us. (He chuckles and picks up her arm.) She’s as strong as an ox! And she can punch too. Believe me, she can fight!
MC: And the other girl in your life, Cheryl, is your longtime manager, right? You’ve got a great team behind you.
WM: Yes! She puts up with all the crap! (Laughs) She’s her manager as well. (Gesturing to Wynona) And also (Pitch Ink PR’s) Rachel Charles has been great. Rachel should’ve been here today but she’s really busy with all her work. I miss her not being here with us–we’re together everyday! And my co-manager is Stuart Campbell. He’s actually Wynona’s co-manager as well for singing and acting. He’s a lawyer so he takes care of all the business. He’s also an entertainment manager. He’s been my co-manager for the last 12 years–and he’s my friend.
MC: You’re lucky to have loyal people in your camp for so long. You know how it can be in boxing!
WM: Yeah…You know, I don’t think of him as my lawyer–I think of him as my friend.
As ring announcer and event emcee Sonny Franco calls everyone to attention, I tell Wayne congrats again as the program gets underway. In the museum site at the American Sports University, filled with wall-to-wall champions and contenders, McCullough still stands out. While accepting his award at the mike , the audience gives him a standing ovation. Wayne first gave thanks to the Sulaimans and their organization, “Thank you to Jose and Mauricio who have always treated me well.” In his speech, he also thanked the other champions who showed their support at this celebration including the WBC LBM 2010 “Fighter of the Year” Sergio Martinez and light welter champ Timmy Bradley.
While the champs gathered around the newest Legend in the game, the WBC LBM still had one more surprise for the champ. In honor of his Irish heritage, a special dance troupe from nearby Redlands entertained the crowd with a lively performance of some fancy footwork from the Emerald Isle. I watched Wayne beam with pride as he enjoyed the young dancers’ traditional kicks, twirls and turns in their hot stepping.
After accepting his award, McCullough continued to greet the fans and many well wishers. A boxing trainer who sat at the McCullough’s VIP table continues to be very impressed with Wayne’s endeavors–both in and out of the ring. “He still trains every day. He told me he ran 10 miles just yesterday!” remarked Steve Harpst, a coach and sculptor, who had Wayne as a special guest at his boxing club to inspire the youth.
“I am really impressed with his IHOW charity,” added Harpst. “Wayne is building this global charity to help young kids and boxers achieve their own goals. He’s very dedicated in his contributions to the sport. What’s really amazing is that he told me how freezing cold it was in his gym while he was a little boy just learning to box. They had to wear a lot of heavy clothes just to stay warm–and they sometimes had to shadowbox ten rounds just to warm up! That’s dedication. And he said there was no electricity and no heater, no running water or bathrooms. And yet, he still became a World Champ!”
Now besides being a World Champion, Wayne McCullough is also a true WBC Boxing Champion LEGEND.
Congratulations to the “Pocket Rocket” on his newest award!
For more info on his charity: Find “IHOW–I Helped Out Wayne” on Facebook
Photos by Michele Chong