Woodall v McCrory: a Belfast blockbuster

Poster for the showdown that could change Steed’s life

THE countdown has begun to a truly, truly explosive encounter – a fight that can see Steed Woodall explode on the world scene.

Today the Birmingham super-middle flew out for his fight with big-punching Padraig “Pat” McCrory, a man who has won all 17 fights, nine by stoppage, and held the IBO version of the world light-heavyweight title.

He will, on Friday, meet McCrory in the Irishman’s backyard: Falls Park, Belfast. Steed will face not only a dangerous opponent, but a partisan crowd.

The rewards more than justify the gamble. The WBA has McCrory third in the world super-middle rankings. Victory should see Steed gain a top five place and within touching distance of a world title fight.

Not surprisingly, Steed, a product of the Second City’s Eastside gym, will be installed as underdog.

But the fight public don’t know the 29-year-old’s true worth and capabilities. That’s because of the rank bad luck, injury and inactivity that has blighted his career.

In April he returned after a nine month lay-off to outpoint Boris Crighton in Poland over eight. Prior to that Steed had seen only one round of action since October, 2021.

Woodall…endured a frustrating time as a professional

on Friday night, the fact Woodall has slipped under the radar may prove a good thing. If McCrory has underestimated his opponent, he’s in trouble.

The Birmingham man, a truly outstanding amateur, is a talent. He has a good boxing brain, fine skills and carries power.

And he and his Eastside team will be buoyed by Sam Eggington’s recent stunning victory over Joe Pigford. Sam, too, was the underdog who faced a thunderous, unbeaten puncher away from home. He trounced Pigford.

There’s almost a sense of déjà vu about the Belfast 10 rounder.

“It’s a risk,” Jon Pegg admitted, “but every fight should be a risk for a boxer moving forward. McCrory is nothing very special, he’s just super strong.

“What we don’t know is whether the eight rounds Steed got in Poland is enough.”

Former English middleweight champ Adam Harper, who possesses an encyclopaedic knowledge of the modern game, is primed for an upset.

“I think Woodall wins,” he said. “People don’t realise how good he is. He’s lost one of 20 - and that was to Steve Rolls who went on to face Gennadiy Golovkin.”

Belfast’s former world champ Carl Frampton is, not surprisingly, picking McCrory.

He told the BelfastLive:  "It’s a huge opportunity for Padraig McCrory to fully capture the imagination of local fight fans when he stars at the Falls Park on Friday night against Steed Woodall.

“The improvements he has made since his first outing there against Steve Collins Jnr in 2019 have been remarkable.

“He has improved tenfold since then, perhaps down to growing confidence and also some great coaching from Dee Walsh. This is a great opportunity to get more people on the bandwagon and pick up new fans.”

Woodall’s paid career has been a study in frustration. A promotional deal with Frank Warren didn’t work out and a broken foot further slowed progress.

Woodall actually “turned over” in America back in 2014 and made his mark. He lost only one of 17 – and that came against world class Rolls in a bid for the North American title.

Since returning to Birmingham from the States, the pickings have been slim: one bout at Villa’s Holte Suite, another at Planet Ice, Solihull. A combined five rounds. His record currently stands at 18-1-1, with 11 early wins.

Now “The Stallion” has been handed a possible fast-track to glory. Both he and Paul “Soggy” Counihan, who has trained Woodall since he was 12, burn with confidence.

Counihan told me: “We are up for it. Steed will be the underdog at the bookies but he’s up for it, we’re up for it. I’m confident Steed will do a job on him.

“He has to be careful. McCrory can punch, he can handle big lads, but I think Steed knocks him out.  McCrory is unbeaten, he doesn’t know how to lose, he’s not going to give anything up easy. We have to take it away from him.

“I think Steed is better than him in every department. Steed is faster than him, he had a better amateur career than him, he probably hits harder than him. We’ve been up and down the country for the very best sparring.”

On facebook, Woodall pointed his fans to Psalm 44: “Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight.”

He added: “Time to make my daughter proud.”

The stakes are high, the gamble is great, but Friday may be the night Steed Woodall emerges from the shadows.