A Belfast boxer's career as taken a bizarre turn after landing a gig as a stand-up comedian at next month's Féile.
Former European cruiserweight champion Tommy McCarthy is set to support well known comedian Paddy McDonnell at the Devenish Complex on August 4. The 31-year-old only made his stand-up debut last weekend with a five-minute cameo in Coalisland.
But such was the success of that performance, McCarthy is a man in demand. On top of next month's Féile invite, he has also been asked to perform at two other open-mic nights in Belfast and Magherafelt.
Read more: Michael Conlan opens up on brutal weight cut and two-stone gain since Leigh Wood defeat
And from leaving opponents bloodied and bruised, McCarthy is now leaving his audience in stitches.
He explained: "I was on Sean Hegarty and Tyrone McKenna's 'One Two One Two' podcast recently and we got chatting about what I wanted to do outside of boxing. I said I didn't want my life to be defined by boxing, and that I wanted to do some different things like acting or even stand-up comedy.
"Boxing is obviously my primary thing, but I want to try other things. Sean asked if I was serious about the stand-up and said he could get me a slot on an open-mic night.
"I just said '100 per cent' and was all for it. Sean then texted me about a comedy night in Coalisland, at a GAA club there.
"He asked if I wanted to do five minutes there, and I said yes. There was me, Paddy McDonnell who was headlining, Dave Elliott and Fintan Harvey.
"Dave and Fintan did their bit and I was on before Paddy. All the comics were really supportive and gave me wee tips.
"But they told me any comedian usually does their first gig in front of about six people. And here I was about to perform in front of about 120 people.
"They said it was going into the deep end, but it went brilliant. Everyone was in stitches."
McCarthy's cameo was well-received by those in attendance at the show, and by the other comedians performing on the night. And it has led to a couple of other offers.
He added: "Paddy McDonnell said it was really good, and that I didn't have much to work on. And he asked if I wanted to come on before him at the Féile.
"I thought he was joking, but he said he was deadly serious. So I will be going on before Paddy at the Féile.
"And then Fintan messaged me saying he is doing a gig in Magherafelt this month and asked if I fancied doing 10 minutes this time. So I said go for it."
McCarthy believes there are plenty of similarities between boxing and comedy. And he admits there is equal pressure going into both.
"Before I went out for the comedy show, it was the same as going out for a fight. At a boxing show, all of the boxers are back stage and there are nerves," he added.
"You hear 'you're up next' at the comedy show, and that's just what it's like in boxing. Everyone is backstage wishing each other well.
"I thoroughly enjoyed it. I wasn't really that nervous.
"What's the worst can happen? People won't laugh?
"I am used to going out and people hitting you. In comedy nobody hits you - well, you hope nobody hits you!
"And I was relaxed when I was up there. The only thing I was worried about was forgetting what I was going to say.
"I had something scripted in my head, and it flowed nicely when I was on stage. It was well received."
While McCarthy revels under a new spotlight, he insists boxing remains his primary career and source of income. But he says he will continue entertaining fans with witty one-liners "as long as they want to see it".
He added: "If people enjoy it then I will probably continue doing it. I won't start being a maniac and doing these small cameos here, there and everywhere.
"And if things progress then we will see what happens. But right now, I don't have any fights coming up and I am just enjoying myself.
"I am still training away, but this doesn't interfere with my boxing."
McCarthy describes his comedy as "story-telling". And he admits he has plenty of material from his time in boxing.
"I have so many stories from over the years. So it is just telling them," he adds.
"I have worked with some funny boxers over the years. Most boxers are big personalities and they're all quite funny.
"Sean McComb is very funny and a good story teller. Then you have Tyrone McKenna and Tyrone McCullagh who are funny in a different way because they are just maniacs.
"But Sean McComb would be brilliant at it. Boxing gyms are tough environments and you need thick skin to be there.
"People rip into you no matter what type of day you're having. It is vicious and there's a lot of slagging that goes on inside a boxing gym.
"I have so much material. I could probably do a two-hour special somewhere!"
READ NEXT:
- Tyrone McKenna ready to unlock 'missing link' on Michael Conlan undercard
- Former Belfast boxer using early retirement to help young kids
- Belfast boxer happy to 'ride the wave' towards title glory
-
Padraig McCrory happy to 'ride the wave' towards title glory
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
