A West Belfast boxer has proved a big hit (literally) with ring legend Lennox Lewis.
Former undisputed heavyweight king Lewis knows a thing or two about knocking opponents out.
Thirty-two of his 41 wins came by stoppage, including a brutal KO of the self-proclaimed 'baddest man on the planet', Mike Tyson.
So when Lewis bestows some praise on you, then you know you're doing things right.
Step forward Padraig McCrory.
Unbeaten super-middleweight McCrory has enjoyed an impressive start to his pro career, cruising to nine straight wins.
Four of those successes came by way of stoppage, but there is one that stands out more than the rest.
That came against the unfortunate Manny Bique at The Devenish Complex on February 10, 2018.
McCrory folded Bique like an envelope at the West Belfast venue.
Lewis was so impressed he shared the punch on his social media channels.
But instead of solely focusing on the huge right hand, Lewis hailed the patient approach adopted by McCrory in the lead-up to his KO.
“Good things don’t always come to those who wait. In the ring you want to get off first instead of waiting around in a defensive position, which tells your opponent that you’re not throwing punches,” explained Lewis.
“Defense invites offense. If I know you’re staying in a defensive mode, I’m going to come with my offense.
"Good fighters can easily slip between offense and defense, but they also know that staying in defensive mode too long can put them at a serious disadvantage, even when they aren’t hurt.
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a great defense, but the best know how to use the defense to protect themselves and then counter with offense.”
McCrory- who returns to the ring on February 1 at the Ulster Hall - said he was "over the moon" to see Lewis' post.
“Lennox Lewis is an all time great and I’ve always been a big fan, so I was over the moon when I popped up on his social media accounts in such a positive manner," he said.
“I just hope to improve every fight but I love trying to put a show for the fans on so I’ll be looking to make a statement in my next fight in Belfast.
“It’s great for me to get going early in the New Year as I haven’t boxed since August so I’m buzzing for it. It’s a special and unique venue at the Ulster Hall. I love the atmosphere and I’m looking forward to fighting there again.”
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