Central Area title challenger being lined up for Padraig McCrory

Padraig McCrory [10(4)-0] looks set to compete in an interesting 50-50 clash when he returns after lockdown.

Irish-boxing.com understands ‘The Hammer’ will fight Mickey Ellison [12(4)-2(0)] this summer.

The Blackburn native would, possibly alongside Steve Collins jr, represent the best opponent the super middleweight BUI Celtic champion has signed to face.

The 30-year-old may shade things in terms of experience with four more fights and the fact he has learnt how to deal with serious adversity in the form of two defeats.

The first of those reverses came very early in his career and the other came at Central Area title level against recent Jack Cullen foe Jack Sellars.

It does appear a step up for the Belfast 32-year-old, but it’s the kind of fight he has been looking for – and one that offers him the chance to take positive strides forward.

The ticket selling super middle was initially confirmed as a participant of the proposed July Belfast card – and as a result was linked to domestic names such as Kevin Cronin and Olympian Darren O’Neill.

When news broke that Belfast wasn’t going to be the next venue of the next #MTKFightNight rumour suggested McCrory along with Sean McComb, Gary Cully and Lewis Crocker would be handed step up fights in England.

Rumour now suggests MTK are planning an August English show and McCrory will face Ellison on it.

McComb is said to have agreed to trade leather with Craig Evans, a fighter he was initially scheduled to fight in April, and there is talk of an undefeated prospect for Crocker.

By all accounts MTK are trying to get those fights on either Sky’s Fight Camp or BT Sport’s Summer Series – and if that’s not possible they will fight on the first close to home #MTKFightNight.

That card is said to be August and could be heavily populated by Irish versus British bouts.