Padraig McCrory reflects on 'difficult camp' as he gets back to winning ways with victory over Leonard Carrillo

Padraig McCrory reflected on what has been a "difficult camp" for him after overcoming Leonard Carrillo in a tense 10 rounds at the SSE Arena on Friday night.

'The Hammer' was given a stern examination in his first fight back after suffering his sole career defeat after Edgar Berlanga stopped him back in February.

The pre-fight assessment of it being a difficult test for McCrory proved correct as Carrillo looked to stun the home crowd. But McCrory bounced back from a huge right hand from the Colombian to claim a 98-91 points verdict from sole judge, referee Hugh Russell Jnr.

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Speaking to belfastmedia.com after the fight the west Belfast man looked to the future after reflecting on his tough build up to the bout.

"Eight weeks ago, I was cut," McCrory revealed. "Four weeks ago, I was brought to the Royal thinking my mum was dying and thankfully she was here tonight.

"This week we lost Frankie Carrothers who has helped me loads in boxing, and last week we lost my dad's uncle, so it's been a difficult camp, full of ups and downs. But we made it here tonight, got a big night at the SSE and got the win, which is all that matters.

"These experiences don't come very often and in five years' time when I look back, I'll have fond memories. What's next is up to Conlan Boxing. I'm sure we'll have offers as I'm back in the winning column. I didn't look great, but I won the fight, so let's see what happens."

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