Jamie Conlan hails Padraig McCrory’s ‘feel good story’
The tale of Padraig McCrory is the feel-good story of the year claims Jamie Conlan.
The Belfast 34-year-old returned home from Germany this week with the IBO light heavyweight title draped proudly over his shoulder, enhanced hero status, and big fight options aplenty.
It’s a far cry from his humble beginnings and small hall boxing in the Devenish.
Belfast’s latest working-class hero turned over after a spell out of the game with a ‘give it a go’ mentality and has transitioned into one of the stars of Irish boxing.
A five-fight step-up KO run, culminating in a massive win over Leon Bunn in Frankfurt last Saturday, now means the final chapter of ‘The Hammer’s’ career could be riveting.
Although Conlan claims the story so far is already special and makes for good reading.
“This is a guy that is 34, took a lot of time out of amateur boxing, and came back to the pro ranks just to give it a go. The way he has turned his life and his career around is one of the great feel-good stories of Irish boxing,” beamed the former world title challenger when speaking to IFL TV before stating it’s a story a big promoter should want to help write.
“Someone that hits that hard, someone as entertaining as that, that gets that hard and comes back, he’s a promoter’s dream.”
Seek and destroy pic.twitter.com/65W8RWi8QI
— padraig mc crory (@padraigmc1988) October 26, 2022
McCrory has kicked open massive doors with his powerful fists, Conlan is more aware than most of that fact, but for now, he is happy to let his charge bask in well earned and well-deserved spotlight.
‘The Mexican’ plans to give the Dee Walsh trained fighter a routine defence on the big SSE Arena Michael Conlan topped December 10 card – and will look at the potential bigger fights post-Christmas.
“There are loads of fights out there for him. I don’t really want to go into calling people out, we don’t need to, but a nice defence of the IBO world title would be great,” he adds.
“We do have the SSE Arena booked for December 10 and I told Pody all week he has a slot on that and not to worry December 10 he deserves a return to Belfast, a homecoming fight, where the fans that didn’t get a chance to come over get to show their appreciation for he’s done here in Germany.”
"Five years ago, I would have never thought this but now I'm here and I'm IBO World Champion"
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) October 24, 2022
Comhghairdeas le Padraig McCrory – seaimpín an domhain 👑@ConlanBoxing | #IrishBoxingpic.twitter.com/JCJGaBD6KC
Conlan also revealed the plan was always to go for the knockout away from home.
“The only way this was going to work was if this was a knockout and that was the way he fought, that was how he prepared and it’s exactly the way it turned out.”
Photo credit Belfast Boxers.
