Bunn in the oven – German win could birth massive fights for McCrory
Saturday night represents a massive opportunity as well as a potentially magical moment says Padraig McCrory [14(7)-0].
McCrory, his sensationally supportive following, and the entire Irish boxing family will rejoice gleefully if manages to defeat Leon Bunn [18(9)-0] to claim the IBO light heavyweight world title in Germany on Saturday night.
As his manager Jamie Conlan has said on numerous occasions during the build-up, the hundreds that travel and team McCrory could be a few hours shy of a memory they will hold for life.
‘The Hammer’ admits victory would be special but doesn’t think tomorrow’s fight has to be his crowning glory.
The popular fighter says beating Bunn in Germany will be huge in itself, but will also create bigger opportunities.
“This is a massive opportunity for me to take my career to the next level,” he told the Belfast Telegraph.
“This really could change my life. Win this fight and there are some huge fights that could be made at super-middle or light-heavyweight. This really is the doorway to bigger things,” he adds before hinting he has a date with destiny tomorrow.
“Some chances that I thought would come have not happened but everything happens for a reason and this opportunity has arrived at the right time and I aim to grab it.”
Having climbed the ladder and work his way from the small scene toward this opportunity, McCrory is determined not to step onto a snake and slip backward.
The Conlan Boxing fighter is focused and ready to deliver a performance.
“I owe it to myself, my family, and those travelling to support me to put in my best performance and I do feel that during this camp I’ve gone to a new level. It’s my first 12 rounder so that brings its own challenge and being the away fighter for the first time is also challenging but I know I will be ready.”
Carl Frampton echoes the big chance sentiment.
‘The Jackal’ notes the IBO isn’t one of the top four when it comes to world straps but argues it still has the power to change the Dee Walsh-trained fighter’s career.
In fact, upset the home favourite in Frankfurt live on TG4 and Frampton claims he could move onto the radar of WBA king Dmitry Bivol and unified WBC-WBO-IBF champ Artur Beterbiev.
“It isn’t far-fetched to suggest that a fight against the likes of a Bivol or one of the top names could emerge as those guys with the major titles could be looking for what they would view as an easy voluntary defence. Pody would be a huge underdog against any of the big boys but with his power, he always stands a chance,” Frampton said in his popular Sunday Life column.
