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Talking Time is Over for Feargal McCrory


Feargal McCrory [9(3)-0] believes talk is cheap and claims he will do his talking in the Ulster Hall ring on the first Irish pro show of 2019.

The Tyrone puncher fights Karl Kelly [2(0)-2(0)] for the vacant Irish lightweight title this coming Saturday in Belfast and insists he has paid no heed to anything of his Dublin opponent’s build up talk.

Indeed, McCrory points out that the words spoken will prove irrelevant once the first bell rings for an eagerly anticipated clash.

In fairness to the man they call ‘Little Sexy’, he hasn’t been overly disparaging the majority of the time he has just pointed out he has made changes, particularly in terms of dedication, and is in confident mood ahead of the first Irish title fight of the New Year – with further predictions of a knockout win coming from coach and manager Jay Byrne.

‘Fearless Feargal’ is equally as confident and claims he is happy Kelly comes into the clash full of self belief as he doesn’t want to be handed the Irish strap.

“He has been saying various things, but I don’t pay any attention to it,” McCrory said.

“What he says is of no concern to me. All I have to do is focus on my skills and strengths, and if I carry out my game plan then I will be very confident of getting the win.”

“You can talk as much as you like, but when the first bell goes all the talking means nothing,” he added before expressing his delight that he will face a motivated opponent in the title fight which comes above his natural weight.

“I am glad Kelly is confident. I want to fight the best Karl Kelly there is.”

The CoalIsland favourite and ticket seller looked set to fight Stephen McAfee for the super featherweight green strap late last year.

However, a hand injury saw what was building into a nice grudge match fall through.

It was a tough end to a tough year which started out full of potential and positivity. Now, with 2018 in his rear view mirror and a title shot just days away, McCrory is looking forward with excitement once more.

“Last year was very frustrating. It got me down, especially over Christmas,” admitted the 26-year-old

“But it is what it is. I have moved on now and I have a fight coming up. So we are back on track,” he added before stressing the move to lightweight on the ‘A Night To Remember’ card is temporary.

“I don’t have any issues with the super-feather limit. That isn’t an issue at all,” McCrory said.

“I was offered this chance to fight for a title at lightweight and I am taking it, pure and simply. I feel fit, and I feel strong. And people will see the real Feargal McCrory on February 9th.”

Ahead of his third big all Irish fight Dub, Kelly has started training with manager and current BBBofC light middleweight champion Jay Byrne and it seems the John Breen trained McCrory has freshened things up somewhat too.

The southpaw, who impressed on some Matchroom shows in 2017, has spent time Stateside and got some training in in both New York and Philidelphia.

He outlined how “camp has been going great. I have been working hard and now it is all about final preparation and being ready for February 9.”

“I was over in America and trained in New York and Philadelphia. I did a few sessions in Gleason’s Gym which was brilliant.”

“It just broadens your horizons and you are always learning something. Wee tips that I can use down the line.”

“It complements the training I am doing back home. It is a learning curve and I always want to soak in new ideas.”

“I trained in the gyms and went running over Brooklyn Bridge. It was different, and some experience.”

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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