"ON THE HOME STRAIGHT"

Well I'm now on the home straight, only 2 days till weigh in and 3 days till the fight. I've been in this prep for this fight for 9 and a half weeks now, countless rounds of sparring, kilometers and kilometers of road work, bucket loads of sweat and so many painful hours of dedication and determination.
Friday night I did my last hard long run, I was so happy, the following day I did my final sparring session- 8 good sharp rounds with "Bomber" Pedan, I was so happy, Today I had my last massage, I was so happy.
For the last 9 weeks I've put my body through torture so I'm happy to finish and see the last of the things I've done for what feels an eternity, such as the sparring, the gruelling runs ect ect. This week is my taper off week, everything is about freshening up, sharpening up so I peak and I'm ready to do what ever it takes come about 9.30pm march 9. I'm still doing some running, but smaller faster runs, doing my pad work with coach mark, and a lot of work on the floor to ceiling ball, everything is sharp and quality work. All the hard work is done except when it's fight time.
My next aim is 7pm Thursday night, weigh in, I've been lucky enough that my weight is really good, I put in the hard work early, I've done all the sacrificing and so I'm near weight now and really looking forward to getting it out of the way and let the fight begin. I feel ready and can't wait. I hope there is huge support on the night for myself, Bomber and Ace Boxing Promotions who have worked their bum of in getting this show together and I thank Angelo and Brian for the opportunity.
As usual I thank everyone who have supported me, my sponsors, especially my main sponsors who have covered all my living cost to train full time (A E Smith, Liberation Protection and Investigations, Wilson Pacific and Total Contract Services) as well as all my other sponsors and people who have helped me out, ( Madison Sport, Rightcross, Struddys Sport, Brisbane Drum Exchange and Tiling Aspects). I thank all my sparring partners and a huge thank you to Bomber and Kanofski for the countless rounds, both great guys and huge assetts to me and the boxing game. Also thank you to my Team, Mark, Gareth, also Brian Pedan, Jo Harden, my Mum, Greg Wallace for all their efforts, my family and everyone who has been a part of it.
I hope to see you all at the fights, it's been a long hard tussle that I feel I got the better of, now I just have to go do battle and win that tussle too.
"AND I WILL"
Chris "The Little Big Man" McCullen

RIP DALE FERGUSON

I just want to say good bye to a friend who passed away on Friday, Dale aka "Boxa" died from the dreaded Cancer, so young, still in his early 20's. We use to talk on a boxing forum, well I wouldn't call it that, he got his kicks out of giving me stick or teasing me and he was very good at it. We met at a fight night out at Bronco's Leagues Club one night and I knew from that day he was a real good guy.
To Dale's family, I'm feeling for you and can't imagine what your going through.
To my mate "boxa" You may be gone but you won't be forgotten, you showed the fight you have in you for sticking it out for so long, your a real champion, a real fighter.
On March 9 I defend my Australian title, I'm going to steal the strength you had and I'm going to use it to keep hold of my belt, I know you won't mind mate. I will be thinking of you in the ring and may call on you to get me home at some stage, so keep an eye open for me champ.
RIP DALE FERGUSON

UP DATE

Hi all,
Just an up date to let you all know how things are going.
Right now as I write this I'm eating a bowl of steam veges(no fun, nothing special but just the way I do it), just had an hour and a quarter walk and looking forward to a good nights rest. I guess that little word "sacrifice" comes into play, It's a Saturday night and while most people are out either on the town, with friends, eating and drinking what and as much as they like or just feeling free to do what they like, we boxers lock ourselves away from normality to get ready to do battle. My walk tonight was all about preparing my mind for what's coming March 9, I visualise what I feel is going to happen, I go over my fight plans, I see my opponent everywhere, waiting to enter the ring, in the corner, being introduced, during rounds, standing right in front of me, punches I think are going to work on him, his facial expressions, everything. I've never met him but when I see him at the weigh in on March 8 it'll feel like I've known him for years (but I don't like him and i don't hate him either, I just don't want to be his friend right now).
My training is going the best it ever has, I've had the privilege to do around 70 odd rounds with Robbie "BOMBER" Pedan as he prepares to take on Renae "KO KID" Ganoy. I really can't explain the value I've got from it, and I thank him so much, he's a pleasure to know and a pleasure to call a good friend. Also had lots of quality rounds with my good mate, "The Pride of Ipswich" Jason Kanofski, or others may just know him simply as "THE FREAK", also had some great quality rounds with Brendon Wilson and Graham Foley.
I've mixed my training up as usual, doing some good quality fitness sessions up with Gareth Williams at his new gym in Nathan, and really working hard on my craft and technique down with Mark as well as doing all my sparring there, there's a real good feel down at mark's at the moment, with all us boys working in well together. With all this I will be in tip top shape come March 9. I want to say a huge thank you to all these people for what their doing for me.
We should have some shirts and stubby coolers for sale through which my Aunty Jo and Mum have organised in the next few days, so we should look the part as always on fight night
Till next time, stay safe and be happy
Chris

"SUPPORT"

Once again I have been lucky enough to secure some great sponsorship to allow me to train full time to prepare for my title defence with Dean Byrne on March 9.
My major sponsors are:
Greg Wallace from Liberation Protection & Investigations
Butch Buderis from A.E.SMITH
Wilson Pacific
Total Contract Services

Also as always it's great to have the support and sponsorship from
Madison Sport
Rightcross.
Who provide me with all my boxing equipment and fight gear

Also I really appreciate the support from
Struddy's Sports
Tiling Aspects
Brisbane Drum Exchange
who have all chipped in in their own way to help support me

Without all this support I couldn't do what I'm doing and certainly couldn't get in the shape I need to, so I can't thank all these people enough especially my main sponsors.
I have to say a special thank you to my family, Greg Wallace, big Butch, Scott Wilson, Ace Boxing Promotions, Jo Harden and my Mum who are organising T-shirts and stubbie coolers to sell, Brian Dart, the boys from Madison Sport Nigel Hutton and Paul Dobbins, Matt Turbill from Struddys Sports and as always my trainers Mark and Gareth

"CLICKING"

Hi all,
just an update on how everything is travelling, I feel my training is really clicking together now, certainly putting in the hard yards that are needed to contest a 10 round fight. Doing all my running, weights,gym work,sparring, everything. I just had a tough session on the stairs this morning, so much pain but it's what is needed. I've had some great sparring with my good mate Jason Kanofski who is one fit boy and is playing a huge roll in getting me in shape for this title defence against Dean Byrne. I'm also lucky enough to be getting some awesome sparring in with Robbie Pedan, we've had a few sessions now and so far I've found there's none better to learn from, Bomber has every trick in the book and even the ones that aren't in the book, he has them to.He's super fast and very very strong which is good to keep my mind and eye sharp. New boy on the block Graham Foley has given me some real good solid spars as well, so I feel in good shape.
I've had a look at my opponent and along with Mark and Gareth, we are continually working on what we think we need to do to win, with some great in put from the great Brian Pedan and Robbie himself. I won't go into to much detail on my game plan but can promise I will be putting in everything I have and more. I'm really looking forward to my challenge with Dean.
Thanks to all the help and support from everyone
Chris

"ANOTHER YEAR"

Well here we are again, with a successful 2006 now gone it's time to head into 2007 with all guns blazing. I'm hoping to try and defend my Australian Title a few times this year. March 9 will be my first test for 07 and from what I'm hearing it will be the biggest test to date. I will be defending my title against top prospect Dean Byrne, who is trained by the well respected and most successful trainer in Australia Johnny Lewis. I have not seen any of Dean's fights yet but I do know he's an Irish boxer who now lives in our country and is now an Australian himself, he's only had 4 pro fights so far but has won them all very convincingly, from what I hear has represented his native country Ireland as an amateur and has had some 200 odd amateur fights. He's a very tall light welterweight so with his amateur experience, his height and reach advantage it should be a real good test to see where I'm at and one I'm really looking forward to.
Also we are trying to secure a fight with the good man of boxing Jonny Cotterill, he has other engagements at the moment but we're hoping by May we will be in the ring together.
This years aim is to have around 5 fights and all with the best opponents possible, I want to be in fights I'm not suppose to win and ones that give me a real challenge, I will be putting my belt and underfeated record on the line to make the most attractive fights to the Aussie fight fans.
Once again I am hoping to gain some good sponsors to get behind me in my journey, and along with my great team in my trainers Mark and Gareth, promoter Angelo from Ace Boxing Promotions, my family, friends and supporters I'm hoping we have an even bigger year and can't wait for it to begin, A special thanks to some people who are trying to help me out getting some sponsorship together has to go Greg Wallace, Jo Harden and Blacky. Once my sponsors have been finalized I will post them straight up on here.
I have been in training now for 2 weeks so the body is just being reminded of what it takes to become the best you can. Once again I can promise I'll leave no stone unturned.
Till next time
Stay safe and look forward to a big year.
Chris

"NEAR THE END"

Well we are on the home straight now and I'm really looking forward to the weigh in and then all is left is the fight. I really think I have a very tough fight in sorkitti but a challenge I'm really looking forward to. This week is a taper off week and about making the weight and freshening the body up, so far all is going to plan.
I finished my sparring off on Saturday with my mate Adam Partridge, we did 6 good rounds.
Once again I have been lucky enough to get some great sponsors on board and be part of my boxing journey and with out these great people I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing today.
As I mentioned in my previous post, I have A E Smith, Hawley Constructions and some new sponsors on board are Luke from blitz cleaning services and also my mate Greg Wallace and his team from Liberation Security and Investigation, Rightcross and Nige, Paul and the boys from Madison Sport, I can't thank all these great people enough.
Also as always I have my good friend and my promoter Angelo Di Carlo chasing the best avenues for me and really supporting me in my boxing career. Steve Jans again from Kenmore Centre For Health has had to do a bit more work on me as has my massues Laurelea Moss.
A huge thank you also to my trainers, Mark and Gareth, my family, my Mum and Meggsie for their help with my kids, Huia, Steve Morgan, my club, Brian Kirwan, my sparring partners, all my supporters and boxing supporters in general.
Hope to see you all at the fights, I'll need all the support I can get for this fight.
Take care
Chris

"READY TO GO AGAIN"

Hi all, well here we go again. In 2 weeks time(27th Oct) I'll be back in the ring at the home of boxing, the Mansfield Tavern on my good mate Angelo di Carlo's first Fox televised show.
It's certainly been a real struggle getting everything together for this fight, firstly getting an opponent was so hard and Angelo has worked his butt of trying to secure one for me and along with my trainers (Mark and Gareth) have come up with Kongthawat Sorkitti, a rough and tough Thai with a record of 62 fights, 33 wins (21KO's), 28 losses and 1 draw. He's a seasoned pro who has been in with all the top Aussie fighters, Sorkitti is a former WBF world Champion and will certainly give me a tough fight and one I'm really looking forward to.
Training wise was a real struggle early on in preparation, I just couldn't find the will and reason to find serious pain in training. It was properly now a good thing, even though I was still training hard, in my mind I wasn't dying, but now I feel very fresh and very fit again can now say on a few occasions in the last couple of weeks I thought I was dead because it couldn't be possible to feel so much pain and fatigue. Not having an opponent for so long didn't help. I've had some top line quality sparring, I spent a couple of days up in Toowoomba with Brendan Smith and Mick Katsidis sparring Mick, something that really helped get me on track for my fight. My good mate Mick Shaw really gave me a wake up call in one sparring session last week and I now feel much better for it, he was as sharp as I've ever seen him and once again we are doing a lot of sparring together, look out for him to really bounce back with a vengeance. Also had some good rounds with rising prospect and mate Adam "Adam Bomb" Partridge who was in fine form last Friday night with a demolition of young pro Jason Schubert, Also had some good solid rounds with amateurs Ashley Huston, Graham Foley, and Will Young(remember this kids name, he'll turn up in the pro ranks soon and is trained by the very likeable and good mate of mine Craig "the mongrel Monigle").
Once again I couldn't go ahead with my dream without my sponsors. And for this fight so far We have again the great Butch Buderus from AE Smith, Hawley constructions, my good mate Greg Wallace is trying to pull something together again as well, and as usual I have Madison Sport, Rightcross, and some good help from my massues Laurelea Moss and also Steve Janz again from Kenmore Centre for Health. Hopefully I can get their names out there on Fox and show people that these great people and company's are alive and well in their support of me and boxing.
I'll keep everyone up dated till the fight and I hope to hear from you and see you all at the fight.
Take care, your friend
Chris

Newspaper Article - The Reporter

"Hard Training Earns Chris McCullen an Aussie Title."
The Reporter Newspaper Wednesday 30th August 2006
Article written by Jay Buchan
Posted By Huia. Good one Chrisee :)