Big Tommy McCarthy tops a bill for the first time in his professional career when he headlines at the Féíle an Phobail in West Belfast this weekend. The popular cruiserweight faces a tough opponent, Courtney Fry, in what his only his sixth fight.

As an amateur, Fry was a Commonwealth gold medalist and Olympian – and in the professional ranks he has shared the ring with Nathan Cleverly, Tony Bellew, Enzo Maccarinelli, Ovill McKenzie, and even the legendary Roy Jones Jr.

Speaking to the Irish News, McCarthy discussed his opponent and his plan for Saturday’s fight.

On his Liverpool-based opponent, McCarthy admits that “Courtney Fry is good – he is the best I’ve fought as a professional. He has a good record, both amateur and professional, and you can’t take anything away from him.”

“He still has the drive and he still wants to win so I’m not taking it lightly. It’s the hardest I’ve ever trained and the longest I’ve trained but Fry is probably training hard too.”

“Obviously I have aspirations for the next year in terms of who I want to fight but I’m not looking past Courtney Fry because he’s a very good opponent and he brings a lot to the table.”

McCarthy is one of the hardest hitters in Irish boxing and acknowledges that his boxing ferocity is in stark contrast to his laid-back persona outside the ring, noting that “in everyday life I’m very calm in everything – but when I get in the ring I’m a different person.”

The 24 year old, former elite amateur plans to put on a show in the Falls Park this weekend, explaining that “I’ve got a nice smooth style of boxing and I don’t need Fry to push me because I’m getting in there to get the job done.”

“I want to go in and win well and I’d like to keep my stoppage streak going.”