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Feargal McCrory has big plans after announcing himself to the division in 2018


Feargal McCrory [7(3)-0] is back at the Europa Hotel this weekend ready to kick on following a break-out 2017.

A headline appearance and two slots on big Matchroom bills at the SSE Odyssey Arena saw ‘Fearless Feargal’ jump up several levels.

To kick off 2018 the Coalisland super featherweight acts as chief support on the MHD Promotions ‘Assassin’s Creed’ card in Belfast on Saturday night [February 3rd], facing game Nicaraguan Rafael Castillo.

It may be slightly less glamorous than his appearances at the Odyssey, but McCrory has no issues with the stage.

“It’s the same,” the Tyrone fighter told Irish-Boxing.com.

“The small hall shows are a fighter’s bread and butter and something most fighters have to do. It’s not about where you start, it’s about where you end up.”

Looking back on a year where he, at last, got regular fights, McCrory reflects that “I think it was a good year for me. I felt I announced myself to other fighters as a real threat.”

“It was nice to have four fights and fight in a scheduled eight rounder which opens the door for title fights.”

It wasn’t all plain sailing though, with McCrory suffering a scare in his final fight of the year when, hampered by illness, he was run close by Welsh prospect Callum Busuttil.

The 25-year-old southpaw promises it will be very different this Saturday.

McCrory described how “that last fight was very difficult due to the illness- I was weighing 9st 1lb on the Monday so that in itself shows the condition my body was in.”

“I have performed well in the gym and worked hard on new things so if I produce what I have been doing in the gym then I should perform better than I ever have.”

While Castillo’s 14(6)-39(14)-3 record is not much to look at, the Central American has proven himself a capable operator on his previous visits to these shores – and McCrory is pleased with the matchmaking.

The John Breen-trained fighter stated that “I am happy. He is a game and durable fighter who I respect greatly and will take nothing for granted going into the ring.”

“I expect to have to work very hard for six rounds.”

With foundations laid, McCrory hopes to kick on this year and wants to be busy.

The well-supported fighter outlined how “there is a plan that John and myself hope fall into place. Whether that happens the way we plan remains to be seen but, ideally, I want four or five fights this year.”

McCrory also took time to thank his supporter sponsors PK Murphy, Hagan’s Bar in Dungannon, Set Build NI, Home Style Furnishings in Moy, Diamond Bookmakers in Pomeroy, O’Neill & Brady Contracts, Blacktop Tar Enhancer, and Cuba Clothing, as well as his employers E. Quinn Contracts.

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

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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