MCCOMB HAS WORLD AT HIS FEET

SEAN MCCOMB has confirmed he is remaining with Irish boxing’s High Performance unit after his funding appears to be secured for the remainder of 2017.

Belfast southpaw Mccomb is one of five Irishmen who will participate in the World Championships in Hamburg next month.

Efforts to secure Sport Ireland funding for

2018 at the recent European Championships in the Ukraine ended in failure as he missed out on a podium place, a second body blow that followed the news his funding for this year had also been cut.

The 24-year-old (right) threatened to quit amateur boxing in the aftermath.

New High Performance director Bernard Dunne led efforts to prevent Mccomb from adding to the talent drain from the set-up and Mccomb is happy with the situation for now.

“I wasn’t close to jacking it in, I was edging towards going professional, but I found a way,” he said.

“Bernard spoke to the Sports Council and the

IABA and my coaches at home and my family members.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to come back but I found a way. I’m financially safe for now, just with everybody’s help. That allows me to train here, towards the worlds.

“Bernard still has to speak to the Irish Sports Council but there is sort of a plan in order with the IABA.

“I’m not sure how that has gone but it’s looking good and my family are helping me out as well and giving me the opportunity to come back down here and train full-time again.”

Mccomb had spoken to some professional managers and promoters about making the leap but concedes it was a “half-hearted” gesture. He confided: “My heart wasn’t set on it fully. It was just about money.

“My mind is more set on the worlds