Patient Pádraig McCrory still hopes for quick and stress-free night on Frampton undercard

2017 will be a year to remember for Belfast’s Pádraig McCrory [1(0)-0].

The St James super middleweight has turned pro, gotten married, made his debut on the massive Ryan Burnett world title card, and is now expecting his first child.

In addition to this, McCrory will fight for the second time as a pro on another huge card at the SSE Odyssey Arena. The Kieran Farrell-managed fighter will feature on the big Carl Frampton homecoming card on Saturday July 29th.

McCrory is loving the way the year is going and told Irish-Boxing.com that “it’s been a crazy and amazing start to my career.”

“Two of the biggest shows in recent times in Belfast, Burnett’s world championship boxing and Frampton the best ever Irish professional – and I’ve been lucky enough to get on both.”

“To be honest, I would have never dreamt it, but I’m embracing it and using it as a learning curve.”

The learning curve continues at the end of the month, and McCrory is aiming to put what he leant on the Burnett card into practice.

“The experience of boxing on the Burnett undercard will be a massive advantage this time,” he reasoned.

“I was the float fight and got four minutes notice that I was fighting – I was actually sitting in my underwear!”

“The size and atmosphere might be different this time but that experience will stand me in good stead.”

On his debut the Immanuel Boxing Academy man outpointed Jacob Lucas, dropping the journeyman at the end of the first. McCrory would note afterwards that he felt he pushed for the stoppage too much against an overly negative opponent.

While he plans to change this on July 29th, an early stoppage still would be preferable for one onlooker.

McCrory explained that “in my first fight I think I was a bit eager trying just a bit to hard so I plan to be a bit more relaxed with my shots and not go looking the knockout.”

“The shot I actually dropped him [Lucas] with was a counter shot and not one a put everything into so I’ll be patient.”

“I was a bit frustrated [with the negative approach of Lucas], but I should have found a way to get him out of there. Once he felt my power he kind of went into a shell.”

“I had watched a bit of him and didn’t expect him to throw so little as he was usually very game to fight but, during the fight, he was chatting to me saying I hit hard so I can see why he maybe just wanted to survive.”

“The quicker this fight’s over the better. If I can get him early, I will, as my wife’s pregnant and the less stress the better!”

The St James’s boys have made quite the impression over years with their fanatical support of the likes of Dee Walsh and Sean McComb – and McCrory is no different. On the big Burnett card last month the West Belfast men were out in force with chants and flags.

It was a special moment for McCrory who recalled how “walking out and hearing my family and mates going mental singing my name is something I’ll never forget.”

“I sold over 220 tickets last time, this time I only got 82 to sell which is understandable but unfortunate for my fans – but the small crowd I have there will make enough noise they are practicing the songs already haha!”

“I hope to put on a show for them more than anything.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)