Tommy McCarthy offered a comical response to 'leaked reports' suggesting he is line for a World title shot next month.
It was reported this week that the Belfast cruiserweight is scheduled to fight WBA Super champion Arsen Goulamirianon April 1.
The rumours emerged out of the blue, and indicated a deal has been made in principle for the pair to fight in France.
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Speaking on the Whiskey and White podcast which he presents alongside friend and fellow boxer Tyrone McKenna, McCarthy said: "Basically, I woke up this morning and my phone was going mad. People texting me and congratulating me.
"They were saying 'that's a good fight' and they were congratulating me. I was just like, 'what the f*** is going on?'.
"But yeah, there has been a leak online. McCarthy vs Goulamirian.
"We will see what happens. He is WBA Super World champion. He has been holding the belt hostage, he has been champion for a number of years but hasn't had that many defences.
"We have been scheduled to fight him on three separate occasions, so hopefully this is the time."
When podcast co-presenter McKenna pointed out the potential fight was just three weeks away, McCarthy joked: "It's in three weeks so I better start training. I'm starting on Monday."
He added: "I have been ticking over and my weight isn't that bad."
McKenna was having none of it, replying: "Tommy, you're delusional. I have seen you with your top off."
Goulamirian remains unbeaten as a professional with 27 wins, 18 of which have come by way of knockout. He won the WBA Super title in 2019 with a win over Kane Watts, but has defended the belt just twice since.
McCarthy's last two fights have been wins over Pauls Vilbergs and Reinis Porozovs, as he rebuilds his career following back-to-back defeats to Chris Billam-Smith.
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