“Don’t fall down the stairs!” – Emotional Pádraig McCrory delighted to end ring hiatus

Pádraig McCrory [2(1)-0] had to fight back a swelling of emotion seconds before he got to fighting Michael Mora at the Devenish Complex on Friday night.

The popular Belfast super middle has been left frustrated after the high of a Summer debut win at the SSE Odyssey Arena and was disconsolate to the point of considering retirement as he saw a number of potential fights fall through for varying reasons.

In fact, such was his bad luck that he was jokingly told to watch his step as he negotiated the steep staircase that separates the Devenish dressing rooms and ring.

However, once he negotiated the stairs and got into the ring ‘The Hammer’ got proof he isn’t on this journey alone and, as well as a good team, he has family and fans that he can count on.

Following his second round knockout win, McCrory described how “I got really emotional at the start of the fight, when you’re out there and hear the crowd singing your name.”

“They were singing my name from the first fight and then I saw my Mum so proud and it brought some emotion to me, but it’s about resetting the mind and once the bell went I was focused and relieved.”

“As I walked out of the dressing room they were joking saying ‘don’t fall down the stairs’,” McCrory added before outlining the reasons for his recent frustration.

“I feel as if I should be 5-0 and I am not, through no fault of my own, but I am 2-0 and I have my first knockout in front of a very good crowd. It’s been my sponsors that kept me going because without them there is no money.”

McCrory did finally make it to 2-0 and did so in impressive fashion. He was always favoured to beat Michael Mora, but the Nicaraguan isn’t your typical second foe. He has caused problems for some English prospects and has 11 wins to his name, but the Ray Ginley trained prospect handled him so well he felt he made a bit of a statement.

“They guy is a tough guy, he had 32 fights and I was expecting a really hard four rounds. He has been in with the likes of Mark Heffron and he gave Mark a lot of problems for four rounds and then Mark got away, so I was expecting a good four rounds.”

“Ray was telling me stick to my boxing and I got the jab working and I kind of landed a bit too easy. Once I settled down he was looking for me to come in on him but my game is about more than that.”

“In my first fight I was a bit disappointed with how I plodded forward looking for big shots. I wasn’t really looking to box and this time I showed I can box and showed I can punch.”

“To be honest, he got up, but he was really hurt so it’s a real good call from the referee. I am very impressed with that. I was on a great show with some great boxers and it was a bit of a statement of what I am and what I can do,” the St James’s fighter continued before stressing he wants an big 2018.

“Hopefully now I put on a good show 2018 will be a big year for me.”

Photo Credit: Chris Scott – AMMG Media