IRISH fighters chase title glory on both sides of the Atlantic on Friday night. Tyrone’s Feargal McCrory is the headline act when he goes up against WBA super-featherweight champion Lamont Roach in Washington (live on ProBox TV at 8pm EST in the USA which is 1am on Saturday morning Irish time approximately).
Everything seems stacked against McCrory. The show at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in his opponent’s home city is being promoted by Lamont Roach’s father. Former Brackaville GAC star McCrory is facing a man who has lost once in 26 fights and dropped Hector Luis Garcia to win the title on split decision.
Against that, McCrory is 16-0 and has improved with every appearance since he based his fights in the US in 2022. It will take the performance of a lifetime from ‘Fearless’ but he has earned his shot and – like Anthony Cacace did when he fought for the IBF super-featherweight belt - he is determined to take it.
On home soil the action is at the SSE Arena where Conor Quinn has been thrown into a right-of-passage Commonwealth flyweight rumble against unbeaten English champion Conner Kelsall. Kelsall told Quinn he would “smash his face in” when they met at last week’s press conference but his lack of punching threat means that Quinn should have too much for him when the action begins.
In the co-main event, Dubliner Pierce O’Leary intends to push on towards a world title opportunity when he takes on Irish rival Darragh Foley for the WBC International Super-lightweight title.
Foley is tough and experienced and will test O’Leary who is determined to make the breakthrough in a very competitive division.
A packed undercard features Colm Murphy against Glasgow’s Jack Turner (there are two Jack Turners on the bill) and James McGivern hoping to earn a contract with Queensbury with an impressive performance against unbeaten Cardiff native Rashid Omar for the BUI Celtic Lightweight title.
Walter Fury, younger brother of former ‘lineal’ heavyweight champion Tyson, opens the show in his professional debut at super-welterweight.
Friday night, SSE Arena card (first fight at 4.15pm):
Commonwealth Boxing Council Fly (vacant): Conor Quinn (9-0-1) v Conner Kelsall (11-0)
WBC International Super-lightweight title: Pierce O’Leary (14-0) v Darragh Foley (22-5-1)
Featherweight: Colm Murphy (11-0) v Jack Turner (6-1)
BUI Celtic Lightweight title: James McGivern (8-0) v Rashid Omar (6-0)
Super-featherweight: Jadier Herrera (14-0) v Andres Navarrete (11-1)
Super-featherweight: Nelson Birchall (3-0) v Kevin Trana (15-16-3)
Lightweight: Steven Cairns (7-0) v Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira (6-10)
Super-lightweight: Nicola Barke (4-0) v Kerry Haley (2-1)
Bantamweight: Jack Turner (6-0) v Darwing Martinez (8-20-2)
Super-welterweight: Eoghan Lavin (1-0) v Artjom Spatar (4-8-1)
Super-welterweight: Joe Cooper debut v John Henry Mosquera (5-13)
Super-welterweight: Walter Fury debut v Vasif Mamedov (3-52-5)