For a few rounds, “Fearless” Feargal McCrory lived up to his moniker, hanging tough against the former world featherweight champion Mark Magsayo at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas last Sunday and trying his best to pull off a major upset in their non-title scrap.
The Tyrone native absorbed thudding right hands while pressuring the powerful Filipino, who had the crowd behind him. But late in the fourth stanza, a clubbing right rocked McCrory and although he stayed on his feet as Magsayo opened up, it would just be a matter of time.
Warned by his corner between rounds that they’d stop the contest if he continued to take punishment, McCrory came out for the fifth stanza determined to survive another onslaught. But his corner was not willing to oblige him.
Barely 21 seconds into the fifth -- and after their fighter seemed to have weathered Magsayo's early barrage -- Team McCrory waved to referee Robert Hoyle to stop the bout, much to McCrory’s chagrin. Although all three judges, Eric Cheek, Max DeLuca and Chris Migliore had Magsayo ahead 40-36 [four rounds to zero] before the stoppage, McCrory was still game when it ended.
“[It] didn’t go the way I wanted,” McCrory posted on social media. “I’m ok and I disagree with the stoppage. The only thing hurt is my pride. Nothing else.”
“I want to thank everyone who supported me, travelled, watched, sent messages, and sponsors that backed me the whole way. It never goes unnoticed. The support means everything, especially on nights like this. Also, a big shout out to Zuffa [Boxing], they treated me incredible and they are the future!!”
The Tyrone native, who’s 33, saw his ledger drop to 17-2 with nine KOs. Magsayo is now 29-2 [19 KOs].
Power and speed, both in Magsayo’s favor, were the difference in the scheduled 10-rounder.
McCrory, a southpaw, came out throwing right jabs but making little dent on the brawnier Filipino, the crowd favorite and more dramatic puncher.Magsayo punctuated the latter by connecting with three big rights at one time.
McCrory introduced a left hand and right uppercut to his repertoire in the second round, connecting a few times. By the third round Magsayo was piling on the pressure while the brave McCrory continued to punch with him.
Then came the fourth round and the booming right hand near the end that hurt McCrory and set up the finish.
