Hammer Time- Padraig McCrory to return in ‘hardest fight to date’

Padraig McCrory [10(4)-0] expects to take a significant step up when he returns to the ring this summer.

The BUI Celtic super middleweight champion plans to trade leather on a show in England this August and claims his most difficult fight awaits.

The Belfast fighter wouldn’t divulge a name or any specifics, but did reveal he does face a big test when he returns to the ring.

Indeed, ‘The Hammer’, confirmed he will fight a higher ranked super middleweight before summer is done.

McCrory, who was initially hoping to top an MTK Belfast bout in July told Belfast Live : “We are looking at a fight towards the end of August, in England.

“It will be another step up for me. It will be the biggest test for me so far in my career.

“It will be a fighter ranked above me at super-middleweight, and I believe it will be my hardest fight to date”

Considering he is traveling it’s likely McCrory be pitched in with a managerial stablemate. MTK have the likes of BBBofC Celtic champion Tommy Philbin and Joe Sheriff at the weight and potentially higher ranked than the Belfast puncher.

Either way the now Dee Walsh and Daniel Anderson trained super middle claims it’s a tough fight and just the kind of test he wants.

“It’s what I want. I have been calling out for these tests for a while. Now it’s the right time to step things up and progress. It is going to be a big fight for me.”

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McCrory isn’t too concerned about lockdown ring rust, pointing out it’s the same for every fighter.

However, the 2018 Irish-boxing.com Knockout of the Year winner does feel the fact he has changed backroom team maybe to his advantage.

The 31-year-old believes he has benefited from the team environment created by Dee Walsh and Daniel Anderson.

“All fighters are in the same boat. None of us has fought for a few months,” McCrory added.

“I was lucky enough to have a fight in February, just before the lockdown kicked in.

“I have changed teams since then which is something new. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but I feel happy in the new camp and I am confident it will pay off.

“I was with Ray Ginley before, and me and Ray are good friends. It got to the stage where it was just me and Ray in the gym. Ray is a great coach, but we were always having to go looking for sparring, whereas I am now in a gym where there are a lot of fighters and it is easier to get sparring.

“There is a team environment and competitive edge, and that’s important when it comes to sparring and track work, things like that. It gives you an edge to everything, and it has made me push myself that little bit harder.

“Lewis Crocker is with us. I boxed with Lewis at Holy Trinity as amateurs and we were both with Ray beforehand.

“We have a good relationship and can bounce off each other.”