Craig Richards vs Padraig McCrory Predictions: McCrory heads into the ‘Spider’ verse

Light heavyweight nearly-man Craig Richards takes on hometown hero Padraig McCrory this Saturday, March 1 at the SSE Arena in Belfast. The fight takes place on the undercard of the all-Irish showdown between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan. You can watch all the action live on DAZN.

Here are my Richards vs McCrory predictions ahead of this 10-round contest.

Craig Richards vs Padraig McCrory Odds

McCrory starts as the underdog at 6/4. Richards is your 8/15 favourite while the draw is marketed at 16/1.

Craig Richards vs Padraig McCrory Fight Preview

Richards has come agonisingly close to the very top of the division. In 2021, he gave then-WBA and now-undisputed champion Dmitry Bivol a terrific fight on the way to losing a unanimous decision. ‘Spider’ gave the generational Russian more trouble than most of the 24 men he has beaten. Sure, it wasn’t the chasing Artur Beterbiev gave him in 24 Saudi rounds, but it was a fine display from Richards.

The only men who have beaten Richards have fought for, or held, a version of the world title. Along with four-belt boss Bivol, the 34-year-old has been beaten by Frank Buglioni (WBA ‘regular’ challenger), Joshua Buatsi (former WBO interim champion) and Willy Hutchinson (challenged Buatsi for that title).

If you beat Richards, you are usually going places. At the age of 34, our man might be slowing down. But on Saturday he faces off against a 36-year-old in McCrory. The Irishman has only had two fights less with 20 to his opponent’s 22. But in terms of experience, real top-shelf ring time, Richards still feels like the veteran.

That is not to say McCrory has had a bad career at all. ‘The Hammer’ is 19-1, with his sole defeat coming to Edgar Berlanga. Considering the fact that his conqueror went 12 rounds with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez in his very next fight, that is not an egregious loss.

The Belfast boy has beaten decent men like Steed Woodall and gatekeeper supreme Marco Antonio Periban. McCrory looks ready for bigger challenges, even if they come in that fringe contender hinterland between world level and the domestic scene.

It is that purgatory where Richards realistically finds himself these days. He has tested himself against the best but has been found to not quite measure up. A fine fighter rather than a phenomenal one. There is no shame in that. It is boxers like Richards and McCrory who make the pugilistic world go round.

Richards has seen it all during his career while McCrory is looking to score some big fights before the clock ticks down. It is not quite a crossroads fight, only because both men are so similarly-placed. But it definitely feels like last orders at the bar. Only one of these men can really be a factor in the light heavyweight division after this.

Will we see McCrory become an overnight star in front of his hometown fans? Or will Richards remind us of the ‘Spider’ that threatened Bivol? That’s why we have the fights. Let’s find out.

Craig Richards vs Padraig McCrory Full Card

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Craig Richards vs Padraig McCrory

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Craig Richards vs Padraig McCrory Prediction

I like the Richards points nod here. I think he knows too much for McCrory. He was walked meaner paths and faced tougher men. McCrory has never been in with a fighter of Richards’ quality. But ‘Spider’ has faced multiple men who are levels above ‘The Hammer’.

My pick is Richards via decision at 15/8.

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