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Padraig McCrory shares his dream opponent

Padraig McCrory has trumped Carl Frampton’s Dmitrii Bivol suggestions by name-dropping none other than Saul Canelo Alvarez as a possible future foe.

Frampton had suggested, an IBO light heavyweight world title win over Leon Bunn in Germany could put McCrory in contention to fight the likes of WBA light heavyweight world champion Bivol.

However, ‘The Hammer’ has aimed even higher and said Canelo is the man he’d love.

The Mexican was defeated by Bivol after moving up to light-heavyweight but still remains one of the biggest, if not the biggest draw in boxing.

McCrory would be aware a fight with the superstar is unlikely but is daring to dream.

Speaking at a special homecoming event at The Devenish on Tuesday night, McCrory said Canelo would be the dream opponent.

“I would love to test myself against the best in the world, so Canelo Alvarez would be a dream opponent,” McCrory said.

“Again, it is a massive ask but to get in there and fight the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world would be a great experience.”

While Canelo may be a stretch at this time the win has significantly increased McCrory’s options. He could return to Germany to take on a host of light heavyweights or maybe even Felix Sturm back down at super middle, the British light heavyweight scene is packed with names of note, while he is now in a position to become a Belfast headliner and may pursue options at home.

“There are loads of options. I am speaking with Conlan Boxing on Thursday,” he added. “It looks like I will probably fight at light-heavyweight in six weeks.

“But from there it is about getting the best fight. I can do super-middleweight, and I feel I am big enough for light-heavy.

“I am 34 but I haven’t had a long career and I haven’t taken a lot of beatings either. I feel I could fight another two or three years, and if I am fit and healthy then we’re all good.”

Before he put Bunn on the seat of his pants the 34-year-old Dee Walsh trained fighter was winning praise for the number of bums he put on seats.

The McCrory faithful took over Frankfurt and as ever gave their man sensational support.

“The support I had out there was surreal. It was hard to believe that it wasn’t in Belfast because it seemed like it was. The crowd went mad. It was a great feeling, a mixture of emotions, mostly joy.

“He started fast and he was quick but towards the end of the first round I was thinking ‘I’m very comfortable here, I could make this fairly easy’.

“After the third round he was in a bad place, he walked back to the wrong corner. If it wasn’t in Germany and it wasn’t for a title the fight probably would have been stopped.”

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