Feargal McCrory has warned Lamont Roach that home advantage will count for little when on Friday evening they contest the WBA super-featherweight title.
Roach, 28 and from Washington DC, is defending his title in the city of his birth, at the Entertainment and Sports Arena.
Ireland’s McCrory expects to be well supported, and although he recognized that those there to see him win will be “outnumbered” by those cheering for Roach, he said: “When we get in there, it’s me, him and the referee.
“My last fight at Madison Square Garden where I had thousands and thousands of Irish people supporting me, but I didn’t hear the cheers because I was focused and zoned in and had a job to do. It will be the same this time in DC. If Lamont takes that approach, then there won’t be added pressure. All I ask is that it’s a fair crack at the whip – red corner versus blue corner and that the best fighter on the night gets the decision. All I ask is a level-playing field – that’s it.
“I said this last year. No matter what I ever achieve in this sport in terms of accolades received, the greatest accomplishment is the support and backing received from the Irish-Americans, from New York and Philadelphia and even further. I’m very lucky and blessed to have a great crowd coming down. We will be outnumbered, in his hometown, but there are very few fighters who could fly across the Atlantic and get the support I will bring.”
McCrory, 31 and a resident of New York – Roach lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland – also insists that the timing of his biggest fight, incidentally on a ProBox TV promotion, is in his favour.
“I’ve had a very good hard, hard camp with tough work that should leave us with reassurance that when I have to go to the bottom of the well and dig deep, I’m capable of doing it,” he said. “I’m confident that if I perform that I can absolutely upset the altar here.
“Expect to see someone give it his all. I’m coming to fight and perform and bring excitement to DC. I feel like I’m strong and I’ve proven each fight. I feel this fight is coming at the right time for me – everything is falling into place as a fighter, as a person, as a man.”
Official Weights, ProBox TV Championship Boxing presented by NoXcuse Promotions
World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Featherweight Championship – 12 Rounds
Champion Lamont “The Reaper” Roach Jr. (24-1-1, 9 KOs) of Washington, DC – 130 lbs. Feargal “Fearless” McCrory (16-0, 8 KOs) of County Tyrone, N. Ireland – 129.6 lbs.
Co-Main Event
Super Middleweight –10 Rounds
Lester Martinez (17-0, 15 KOs) of Guatemala City, Guatemala – 167.2 lbs.
Carlos Gongora (22-2, 17 KOs) of Boston, MA – 168.8 lbs.
Lightweight – 10 Rounds
Alex Dilmaghani (20-2-1, 7 KOs) of Manchester, England – 132 lbs.
Rene Tellez Giron (19-3, 12 KOs) of Querétaro, Mexico – 136.2 lbs.
WBA International Bantamweight Championship – 8 Rounds
Rianna Rios (7-0, 1 KO) of Upper Marlboro, MD – 116.6 lbs.
Mary Romero (10-5, 2 KOs) of Murcia, Spain – 117.2 lbs.
Welterweight – 4 Rounds
Benjamin Johnson (Pro Debut) of Washington, DC – 147.4 lbs.
Michael Williams (2-2, 1 KO) of Las Vegas, NV – 147.6 lbs.
Super Flyweight – 4 Rounds
Jordan Roach (Pro debut) of Upper Marlboro, MD – 115 lbs
Luis Domingo Hernandez Cambero (15-13, 10 KOs) of Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic – 113.6 lbs.
Junior Lightweight – 8 Rounds
Greg “Sharpshooter” Outlaw (14-2, 8 KOs) of Bowie, MD – 144 lbs.
Isidro Curiel (11-3-1, 6 KOs) of Ciudad Madero, Mexico – 144.6 lbs.
Lightweight – 4 Rounds
Deric “Scooter” Davis (3-0, 3 KOs) of Washington, DC – 135.4 lbs.
Matias Agustin-Arriagada (6-11, 3 KOs) of Buenos Aires, Argentina – 132 lbs.
Welterweight – 6 Rounds
Travon Marshall (9-1, 8 KOs) of Landover, MD – 151.4 lbs.
Luis Midyael Sanchez (9-5. 6 KOs) of San Juan, Puerto Rico – 156 lbs.
Lightweight – 4 Rounds
Eric “El Toro” Hernandez (10-1, 5 KOs) of Ashburn, VA – 140.6 lbs.
Jonathan Hernan Godoy (7-18, 1 KO) of Buenos Aires, Argentina – 142 lbs.
Bouts are subject to change.
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_1659585702.jpg?w=406&resize=406,250&ssl=1 "Michael McKinson and the four and a half hour journey to spar a newly crowned champion")