Hammer and tongs – Poddy McCrory ready for busy 2019

It’s all about keeping busy for Padraig McCrory [6(3)-0] in 2019.

The Belfast super middle looked set to move toward title fights when he avenged an amateur defeat with an impressive display against a game Derry foe in Sean McGlinchy last year.

However, the big punching Ray Ginley charge is content enough to be active this year in the hope some big opportunities may arise.

“Ideally I’d like five or six fights and have a title in there somewhere. There are whispers of some big bills coming up and I would love to be involved in them,” McCrory told Irish-Boxing.com before reflecting on that late notice McGlinchy win.

“It was great being involved in an all Irish fight with a good opponent. The fight could have been much more with a build up but getting the W was amazing.”

The ticket-seller added another win to his record after his derby victory late last year and starts the year this Friday night against another journey man with Przemyslaw Binienda [2(2)-23(10)] manning the away corner.

‘The Hammer’ doesn’t necessarily view it as a step back down rather a chance to build toward something bigger and claims he trains for every opponent with the same degree of focus and determination.

“No, I train for who every is in front of me,” he adds when asked if there is a lesser degree of motivation fighting journey men.

“I work hard in the gym so I am ready for any scenario. For Friday the W is the most important thing if i get 6 rounds I’ll be happy but I’d like to show that i have the power to take these guys out.”

Taking out Binienda won’t be necessarily easy as the Pole has gone the distance with some big men including the Irish trio of Chris Mullay, Barry Barnes and most noteably Steven Ward.

In fact McCrory felt the 23-year-old did quite well against BUI Celtic light heavy champion Ward and expects a game opponent as a result.

“I watched him fight Wardy at the SSE last year and he was game. He might even have won a round if i remember so I am expecting him to come to fight,” he adds before discussing fighting at the iconic venue that is the Ulster Hall, which is certainly a venue his sizeable crowd will be heard at.

“I have great memories of the Ulster Hall from watching the Ulster Senior finals before they got moved, but the atmosphere was amazing and I am expecting the same Friday night.”