‘Lets make it happen’ – McCrory calls for tests, wants big fights

Feargal McCrory has all but called for his team to deliver a title fight next.

The Tyrone favourite extended winning run to 11 fights on top of the Summer Brawl show in Belfast on Saturday night and after the fight was adamant he is not only ready but all but desperate for a more noteworthy test.

The Coal Island fighter looked set to make a serious break through in 2017 with two impressive wins on Ryan Burnett undercards. The victory over Paul Holt particularly caught the eye of Eddie Hearn, but the Matchroom boss’ interest in Belfast has cooled significantly of late. As a result McCrory has been looking for another break through avenue.

He has ticked over since and managed to claim the Irish lightweight title earlier this year – and the talk now is that he is close to a Commonwealth title shot.

In fact there are suggestions he will be in pole position to face the winner of English contenders Zelfa Barrett and Lyon Woodstock, who fight for the vacant  rainbow title on Josh Warrington v Kid Galahad undercard in Leeds on June 15th.

Regardless, the 26 year old just wants a step up next. Not one to call out fighters he didn’t mention the Commonwealth title or either challenger, but claim he is ready for domestic dust ups and went as far as to tell his team to ‘make it happen’.

“I want that championship. I want that test now. I am ready for it. I am not someone who goes around calling men out, but look lets make something happen,” McCrory said after stopping Elvis Guillen in a round on Saturday night.

“I know the team are working very hard and I believe in them 100 percent, but I want that test. Hopefully we can release something very soon.

“I am not going to mention names, but any super featherweight. Then again it needs to make sense for me. I don’t want people ringing me two weeks before a fight. Don’t do that I am not going to disrespect myself and take a fight two or three weeks out. Come to me and give me a full camp with notice I’ll take anyone.”

Preferably a fighter that works full time as well as travels from Coal Island to Belfast to train would like that big fight to come around in September.

The Autumn fits for family and boxing reasons, but with notice his willing to compete earlier if needs be.

“Preferably late September because we are in the process of building my own house and my wife is due on 1st of September. I have been so busy with training and fighting and I love it i do, but I work full time and there are a few things I need to work on and it needs a bit more time than I am able to give it. Now don’t get me wrong if someone rings me up with notice and the fight is mid August if it makes tense I take it. ”

McCrory was speaking after his fifth stoppage win and one he was expected to register once his late replacement was brought in.

However, that didn’t stop the Breen’s Gym fighter from feeling pressure. Indeed, the Irish lightweight champion admits he feels more pressure facing a journeyman than he does in any other fight.

“I find more pressure when I fight those lower level journey men, I really do. I also find it hard to perform against them.

“We trained very hard for this one. In fairness you always have hard camps with John, Eamonn, Gary and everyone. We were confident coming in. it was a late change in opponent, but I don’t look at opponents, it doesn’t bother me and I don’t look into it. There will be tougher tests ahead obviously, but we will be ready for the tougher test.”
McCrory appeared at lightweight last time out winning the Irish title by stopping Karl Kelly, but he is adamant super featherweight is were he belongs.

“I am a super featherweight all day long. I feel great at super featherweight. Don’t get me wrong 9st 4lbs is a wee push, but I believe you need that wee bit of a push. You need that bit of hatefullness about you.

“I feel strong at the weight. I know there are a lot of things to work on lets not get to far ahead of ourselves, but I do believe we have made great improvements in this camp. We sat back and looked at many things and we worked on them. I believe they will stick to us coming forward.”