Feargal McCrory [11(5)-0] he knows full well how low boxing can take you and now he wants to experience the kind of heights the boxers he created had in their career.
Like many boxers of his day, the 30-year-old turned young fighter has had several ups and downs throughout his career.
However, unlike the likes of European title winner James Tennyson, or European title challenger Paul Hyland Jr, fighters he was once building with, Tyrone’s man has yet to have his moment under the brightest lights. .
He won the Irish title and fought on Matchroom cards, but never got the British-level fight that could change his career and was closing in on it when Eddie Hearn took an interest while promoting Ryan Burnett in Belfast.
In fact, ‘Fearless’ has not appeared in the ring in more than three years, something that changes tonight in the United States.
The undefeated super featherweight faces the Texan César Afredo Cantú [3(1)-4(0)-1]in a scheduled six-round bout at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple, located at 317 Clermont Ave. in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and he returns harboring good ambitions.
“It makes me feel old. Some great guys (have retired),” he told Kevin Byrne of the Rocky Road podcast when asked about some of the fighters he used to share cards with.
“James Tennyson, not only in the ring but outside of it, James as a person is brilliant. A lot of young fighters should look to James and use him as an example. Whether on camera or off camera, he treats everyone with respect.
“Marco McCullough was the same. Great guy, we shared the gym at John Breen’s for a number of years and I learned a lot from Marco’s sparring. Paul Hyland too, I’m not sure what he’s doing. Our generation is definitely moving on. Ryan Burnett, an incredible fighter, made it to the world level and excelled at it.
“Everyone has had great ups and downs, but I want to see what my highs are.”
Now 30, McCrory admits he’s taking one last roll of the dice and will see his ring come back as a high in itself.
Tyrone’s southpaw moved to the United States following his Irish lightweight title victory over Karl Kelly in 2019.
There were rumors of a Top Rank deal, but the pandemic intervened, canceling McCrory’s appearance on a Mick Conlan card at Madison Square Garden and he would go from training with Andre Rozier to Derry legend John Duddy.
After three nightmarish years, he now has the opportunity to further his career and he is hungry to do just that.
“I’m realist. I just turned 30, I’ve been inactive for a long time but let’s see where it goes.
“I have always been hungry. It’s the only thing I’ve ever really wanted to do and it’s the only thing I’ve really excelled at,” he adds before revealing that he has continued to work during his firing, even if social media didn’t suggest as much.
“I just can’t wait to go. I’m working hard. I’m not one of those people who don’t care about how hard they’re working on social media.
“I am a professional boxer, it is what we are supposed to do. People will judge and see how hard I work when I fight.”
