Belfast fighter Padraig McCrory retained his IBO gentle heavyweight world title with a hard-fought win over powerful Birmingham boxer Steed Woodall in an exhilarating struggle.
The principle occasion at Falls Park for the Féile Combat Night time lived as much as all of the hype because the 1000’s in attendance had been handled to a blockbuster.
There was a cagey begin for the opening seconds earlier than ‘The Hammer’ landed some massive right-hand punches to push Woodall onto the ropes halfway via the primary.
There was some devastating punches within the second spherical once more with McCrory and Woodall each having fun with some success with energy punches.
The English fighter confirmed he was a serious menace as he rocked McCrory with a left hand that visibly damage him and left him momentarily wobbling as his ft buckled.
An unbelievable struggle and an unbelievable night time.
Padraig McCrory is a warrior!
One other wonderful Féile Combat Night time! pic.twitter.com/nM1UtFU0j1
— Féile an Phobail (@FeileBelfast) August 4, 2023
Nevertheless, the 35 year-old regained his composure rapidly and responded with a left hook of his personal as this explosive struggle caught fireplace.
Each fighters demonstrated that they’d energy in abundance on this thrilling contest and McCrory and Woodall appeared greater than able to getting the knockout.
McCrory caught Woodall with a formidable physique shot at the beginning of spherical three, earlier than the visiting fighter responded with a stable jab to the top.
There have been additional eye-catching exchanges in spherical 4 as McCrory landed a robust punch on Woodall’s head and he impressively managed to return some advantageous pictures.
The native hero sustained a lower over his proper eye, nevertheless it didn’t appear to have an effect on him as he went on the entrance foot and unleashed an onslaught of terrific punches on Woodall that pushed him up towards the ropes within the fifth.
McCrory was now starting to make use of his jab extra successfully to create openings and a flurry of huge proper handers pummelled Woodall who confirmed what a remarkably powerful boxer he’s to maintain the stress.
McCrory used the jab very successfully in spherical six and he unleashed an enormous proper hook on Woodall who was rocked momentarily however steadied himself once more.
The Irish boxer’s eye was no swelling up nevertheless it was nonetheless very a lot open and his imaginative and prescient was not impaired as he continued his spectacular efficiency and landed one other massive proper hander.
McCrory caught Woodall with an enormous proper hand punch that rocked the English fighter and led to certainly one of his gloves hitting the canvas as he recorded a knockdown within the eight and achieved a 10-8 spherical.
The Birmingham fighter was extra spectacular in spherical 9 as he turned the tables and caught McCrory with a proper hook that left him trying shaken.
”The Hammer’ confirmed extraordinary health ranges contemplating the massive variety of energy punches he threw and landed.
He appeared exhausted because the struggle drew to a conclusion however he fought well and threw some left hooks on Woodall to maintain him at arm’s size as he confirmed his defensive qualities.
Woodall couldn’t be faulted for effort as he pushed ahead to attempt to damage McCrory and get the knockdown.
Nevertheless, McCrory held on and in reality he confirmed extra high quality on the very important moments and he landed extra punches throught the competition.
Each fighters had been hoisted up by their respective corners earlier than McCrory was introduced the unanimous winner with two judges scoring it 96-93 and the third scoring it 98-92.
