Sport

Fry on the menu for McCarthy in Féile an Phobail fight night

Tommy McCarthy
Tommy McCarthy Tommy McCarthy

TOMMY McCARTHY says he’s in the shape of his life and he’ll need to be because he faces the biggest test of his career so far against Courtney Fry this weekend.

Unbeaten McCarthy tops the bill at the Féile an Phobail marquee in Falls Park, Belfast on Saturday against seasoned campaigner Fry who turned 40 in May but should still provide a valuable test for the Belfast cruiserweight.

Fry (19-7) has been in with Enzo Maccarinelli, Nathan Cleverly in the past and, this time last year, took on an ageing Roy Jones jr. He has miles on the clock, but a wealth of experience too and McCarthy (5-0) doesn’t underestimate the threat he poses.

“All the work is done – I’m just tapering off this week and Saturday is the big night,” said McCarthy.

“Courtney Fry is good – he is the best I’ve fought as a professional. He has a good record, both amateur and professional, and you can’t take anything away from him.

“He still has the drive and he still wants to win so I’m not taking it lightly. It’s the hardest I’ve ever trained and the longest I’ve trained but Fry is probably training hard too.”

McCarthy has fought 14 rounds as a pro compared to Fry’s 130, but the ambitious former Commonwealth Games silver medallist intends to extend his winning streak and has worked hard in training.

Strength and conditioning coach James Higgins has put him through his paces in the mornings and there have been tough sprinting sessions too.

Then, in the evenings, he has put his gloves on or run the roads and sparred three times a week in the build up – he travelled to Manchester for a week and then down to Dublin to spar Niall Kennedy in Pascal Collins’ gym.

“In every day life I’m very calm in everything but when I get in the ring I’m a different person,” he said.

“I’ve got a nice smooth style of boxing and I don’t need Fry to push me because I’m getting in there to get the job done. I want to go in and win well and I’d like to keep my stoppage streak going.

“Obviously I have aspirations for the next year in terms of who I want to fight but I’m not looking past Courtney Fry because he’s a very good opponent and he brings a lot to the table.”

The undercard will include McCarthy’s friend and clubmate Tyrone McKenna as well as Philip Sutcliffe jnr, Alfredo Meli, Paddy Gallagher, Paul Quinn and Joe Fitzpatrick who gets his second pro fight.

“Me and Tyrone (McKenna) were over in Manchester sparring,” McCarthy explained.

“He was sparring Tommy Coyle (who takes on Luke Campbell in their native Hull on Saturday night) and is in great shape.

“Paddy Gallagher has been getting great sparring as well and Joe Fitzpatrick and Alfredo Meli have been coming down to my gym (Oliver Plunkett ABC) for sparring and they’re looking like they’re in great shape too.

“I haven’t seen Paul Quinn but I’ve heard that’s he’s flying in the gym. All the boys are raring to go so it looks like the undercard is going to be brilliant.”

FALLS PARK BILL


Cruiserweight: Tommy McCarthy (5-0) v Courtney Fry (19-7)


Super-lightweight: Philip Sutcliffe jnr (8-0) v Ryan Hardy (7-7)


Middleweight: Alfredo Meli (10-0) v Rhys Pagan (13-2)


Welterweight: Paddy Gallagher (7-2) v William Warburton (16-81-7)


Featherweight: Paul Quinn (6-0) v Martin Mubiru (10-6)


Lightweight: Joe Fitzpatrick (1-0) v Zoltan Horvath (2-35)


Welterweight: Tyrone McKenna (8-0) v TBC