King of the Celts Padraig McCrory targets title fight next following quickest KO

Stepping up to six rounds for the first time, Padraig McCrory [6(3)-0] enjoyed the shortest fight of his career on Friday night.

The Belfast super middle needed just over a minute to stop Hungarian journeyman Gabor Detre at the Titanic Exhibition Centre.

With 2018 boxed off and very solid wins in the bag over Harry Matthews and Sean McGlinchey, McCrory is keen to fight for belts in the new year.

One of the bigger ticket sellers in Belfast, the St James’s fighter believes he has the backing and has made the progress which warrants a title fight soon.

“The atmosphere was great,” McCrory said after the win on the ‘King of the Celts’ card where he came to the ring to ‘Seven Nation Army’ by The White Stripes with the main riff being tailored to his name.

“They started singing as soon as I walked in and I felt a tremendous buzz come over me.”

“Once they started singing it went around the whole hall.”

“I think everyone’s starting to see that I’m the real deal. I think it’s clear that I’m ready for the BUI Irish title or whatever is in store.”

McCrory is ineligible for the Irish title at present as he has not fought in a scheduled eight rounder but a BUI Celtic title fight is possible. A fight with Vladimir Belujsky [6(6)-1(0)-1] had been suggested but the Cork boxer has a WBO Youth title fight early next year leaving Waterford’s Craig McCarthy [5(0)-0] as perhaps the leading candidate.

A rematch with McGlinchey [2(0)-1(0)] has also been rumoured although the Derry boxer would be better served going down to, at least, middleweight.

Another option is the BBBoC Celtic title currently held by Scot Tommy Philbin [11(4)-0].

Regardless, McCrory just wants to keep progressing.

The 30-year-old is feeling strong and believes his hard work behind the scenes is paying dividends in the gym

“I’ve been lifting more weights, I’m feeling a lot stronger,” noted McCrory.

“I’m in the gym all the time now and that’s three fights in five months, I’m feeling good and I’m feeling way stronger than ever. I’m hitting harder and harder.”

That said, ‘The Hammer’ promises that he has plenty more to show in the new year.

McCrory described how “I’ve got a lot more gears to go through. That was just second gear in there.”

“In the gym, things are ten times better than that – although I didn’t spar the whole camp because I had problems with my hands, I don’t know whether that’s because I’m punch so hard or not.”

“I’ll have a small rest now and then go back at it.”