Sky Sports-bound Feargal McCrory – “People laughed when I turned pro again”
Feargal McCrory [5(2)-0] has proved any doubters wrong and now stands on the cusp of appearing on his first big show.
The Coalisland southpaw would turn pro in 2011 under Ricky Hatton, however this venture would prove fruitless. Three and a half years later, McCrory would state his intentions of turning pro again, and he admits that he had his fair few doubters.
However, the Tyrone fighter has built a record and a sizeable following on the small hall scene, culminating with a dominant win over Liverpool’s Jay Carney last month.
In what was a big step up, ‘Fearless Feargal’ stopped Carney in the fourth round at The Devenish Complex on the Kieran Farrell ‘A New Era’ show.
Now McCrory is set to fight on the big Sky Sports bill in Belfast on Saturday June 10th.
The level-headed 24 year old is probably the furthest thing you could get from Floyd Mayweather, but he echo Money’s main mantra. – hard work, dedication.
McCrory told Irish-Boxing.com that “I think, through nothing but hard work and dedication, I’ve gotten an opportunity and I’m very grateful for this opportunity.”
“I plan on taking it with both hands and building on my last win, which was a career-best performance.”
“I want to thank John Breen and Eamonn Magee for the belief they’ve shown in me – people laughed when I went pro again. They saw the person I was then, but I’ve changed now and I’m really pushed for things.”
“I’m dreaming big.”
Against Carney, McCrory was said to be in a fifty-fifty fight, and would later say that he trained to ensure this wasn’t the case.
Having jumped several levels with that win, the Ulsterman knows the heights he can hit, and for June 10th he promises that “we’re going to work hard again, make all the sacrifices, and hopefully make a statement.”
“The way we trained for that last fight, it was so tough, so I went into the fight confident, but it was absolutely horrific, it was relentless.”
“But that’s what it needs to be, and I’m prepared to do those things and put myself through that pain.”
“This is what I want to do full-time, I want these press conferences, I want the big shows, and I’ve got a taste of it now.”
While the fight date can be seen as a reward for McCrory, a full-time gas worker who makes a 130km round-trip every night to train in Breen’s legendary Belfast gym, he also sees it as a reward for his passionate fan base.
McCrory explained that “I’m very happy for them too, because they came to the small hall shows in their numbers, and now they’re getting a night out in a big arena on TV. Same goes for my sponsors, they aren’t getting much publicity on the small hall shows, and that’s all going to change for them.”
“Wait and see, every single fight, bar my first, there’s been something – a dinner dance, gaelic football, weddings – this date there’s nothing. Wait and see the noise they make.”
At the press conference to launch the Ryan Burnett v Lee Haskins card, Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn would stress that undercard fighters on the bill will be put into competitive fights. However he noted that McCrory, having had just five fights, will be given the opportunity for a learning fight.
McCrory himself wouldn’t mind a nice test, and described how ” I would love a hard fight. I would really like someone who wants to win.”
“I think, because of my style, I’m come-forward, if someone wants to survive they’ll spoil a lot, whereas when a man wants to stand and fight it’s a lot easier.”
“We’ll see what sort of opponent they get. I can’t wait for the fight.”
McCrory is proudly sponsored by PK Murphy, Set Build NI, Hagan’s Bar and Fortress Fitness.
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
The undercard of the Burnett-Haskins bill on June 10th also currently features Matt Wilton, Padraig McCrory, Paul Hyland Jr, James Tennyson, Sean Magee, and Paddy Gallagher.
Tickets cost £30, £40, £60, £100, and £150 (VIP), and can be bought from the boxers involved or HERE.
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Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill on Episode 4 of The Irish Boxing Show
