Pádraig McCrory planning statement stoppage of Manny Bique to begin big 2018

Pádraig McCrory [2(1)-0] is ready to make a power play and register a statement win this coming Saturday night.

The Belfast super middleweight fights for the first time this year on the stacked ‘Danger at the Devenish 3’ show and is planning to stand out from the crowd with a knockout display.

‘The Hammer’, who impressed despite suffering somewhat of a turbulent debut year, takes on Dublin’s Dominican-born Manny Bique [0-2(1)] on a card that included the likes of Conrad Cummings, Luke Keeler, Gerard Healy, Gary Cully, David Oliver Joyce, Anto Upton, Sean Creagh, Sean Magee, and Declan Geraghty.

The Ray Ginley-trained prospect is expected a fired up and competitive opponent, but is confident a second stoppage is on the cards.

“I’ve seen a bit of Manny against Vlad [Belujsky] in his first fight and a bit of his unlicensed stuff as well. He’s a game come forward fighter and earns his money. I heard he give Chris Mulally a good 4 rounds so I’m excepting him to be right up for it,” McCrory told Irish-Boxing.com before predicting a stoppage of the Caribbean puncher.

“I believe I can make a statement with this guy and show the power I have. I truly believe I could stop him. No disrespect to Manny, but I think I’m levels above him.”

McCrory saw some fights fall through in 2017, through no fault of his own and despite two eye-catching wins he had a bit of a frustrating year.

In that regard he is happy to be out so early in 2018 and is hoping for a very busy and successful year.

“I am massively looking forward to the Danger at the Devenish show there are some top fighters on the card and I’m looking forward to shining again.”

“It’s good to get out early and keep busy I hope 2018 has big things for me. I am hoping for titles by the end of the year. First off I need to get my management in place and plan a path and kick on from this.”

McCrory came under some criticism from Assassin Promotions man Conor Slater for withdrawing from the Last Man Standing contest which is set for the National Stadium on March 3rd.

Slater claimed the Belfast man along with a number of others had pulled out of the competition through fear.

McCrory refuted the claims and, without going into too much dramatics, calmly outlined how “before the announcement of the Last Man Standing line up the promoters of the event knew that I was very unlikely to take my spot as I had others plans.”

“They were still happy enough to announce I would partake. To be honest I’m still not convinced it will go ahead. That’s all I will say on the matter.”

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