Crystal Palace light-heavyweight Craig Richards halts Padraig McCrory on Belfast show

Crystal Palace light-heavyweight Craig Richards picked up a knockout victory in his first ring action of 2025.

The 34-year-old halted Padraig McCrory (19-2) in the eighth round at Belfast’s SSE Arena.

Richards had not fought since losing a unanimous decision to Willy Hutchinson in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in June.

He improved his record to 19-4-1 (12KOs).

McCrory was dropped for the full count with a body shot.

Richards told Fightfantvlive on YouTube: “I was zoned in during my camp and wanted to prove the levels I was at.

“I went into someone else’s backyard. He had massive support. You heard the boos when I was walking in but I stayed focused. There were boos on the way in and cheers on the way out – that’s always a good feeling.

“I knew he (McCrory) was a good boxer but he loads up a lot (with his punches). I knew I would catch him down the stretch, it was about being sensible.”

Richards has switched trainer from Shane McGuigan to Tony Sims.

“It just wasn’t clicking for me at the McGuigan gym,” said Richards. “I went back to the Matchroom Gym (run by Sims) – it has all come together again and I can build off that now.

“I felt I needed back to the formula I was at – the hard, long days and more sessions.”

PICTURE: MARK ROBINSON/MATCHROOM