Sunday Mirror: Boxing: Wayne's Russian roulette

WAYNE McCullough knows that he will get a hero's welcome when he fights in his native Belfast for the first time in seven years next Saturday.

McCullough will meet Russian Nikolai Eremeev in what is just a warm up for a world title challenge against Glasgow's Scott Harrison.

Last weekend McCullough was in Scotland to watch Harrison's brilliant win against Argentina's Julio Pablo Chacon for the WBO featherweight title.

"It was a good win but I still saw enough flaws to give me confidence," claimed McCullough.

"The fight back in Belfast will be very emotional for me and I know the crowd will be right behind me.

"The fans can make a big difference and I am looking forward to getting back in a Belfast ring."

If the Pocket Rocket, as McCullough is known, can get past the 17- year-old Russian then promoter Frank Warren can make a dream fight with Harrison a reality.

McCullough, who is now 32, previously held the WBC bantamweight title and in 1998 failed to win the WBO featherweight title when he lost on points to Naseem Hamed.

McCullough also lost title fights to other modern greats like Erik Morales and Daniel Zaragoza and he believes that his experience will be the crucial factor when he meets Harrison.