Tamworth fighter Josh McCulloch is in line for a South Pacific title fight after besting his toughest opponent to date, says the red-hot teen's trainer.
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Scott Chaffey said McCulloch's five-round win over 57-kilogram NSW state champion Ibrahim Abousaleh - at Doyalson Wyee RSL on Saturday night - was also a "stepping stone" to him fighting for a world title.
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Despite being a non-title bout, McCulloch - the 58kg national full-Thai-rules champion and the 58kg NSW champion - had hoped that beating the well-credentialled Lebanese fighter would lead to a bigger fight.
Chaffey is hopeful that will occur. He said: "We sort of knew with this guy [Abousaleh] being as good as he was, [and] being from a strong gym, that if we could beat him some doors could open up.
"And it looks like it has, with a possibility of maybe a South Pacific title [fight at 60kg] happening in August, once we get back from [a training camp] in Thailand in June."
Josh did really good. He showcased all eight weapons of muay thai.
- Scott Chaffey
Chaffey praised his 18-year-old charge's all-round performance in recording his ninth straight win. His record has improved to 12 wins, two losses and a draw. "Josh did really good. He showcased all eight weapons of muay thai," the trainer said.
Another Chaffey fighter, Zac Wheatley, also won on Saturday's card. But the Chaffey-trained Donny Bailey lost.
