IT HAS almost become a tradition, especially for Matchroom Boxing prospects, that any British or Irish fighter – but more so one, like Pat McCormack, who wishes to reach contender status – must first overcome a strong, and largely unheralded, Mexican visitor.
We have seen this rite of passage take place time and again, yet not every pre-fight betting favourite is fortunate enough to survive what typically proves to be a stern, but no less winnable, assignment.
Two names that immediately spring to mind are Jordan Gill and James Tennyson. Both of them – against Mario Enrique Tinoco and Jovanni Straffon, respectively – came unstuck in devastating fashion.
Then there was Josh Warrington, who, while being significantly further along in his career, encountered a similar fate when he met Mauricio Lara for the first time.
It is important to highlight, though, that Lara, albeit following his defeat to Leigh Wood, was later discovered to be a drug cheat. The same can also be said for Jose Felix and, more recently, Francisco Rodriguez Jr, two Mexican fighters that pulled off respective upset victories over Gary Cully and Galal Yafai.
But while the waters have indeed been muddied by a rampant spate of performance-enhancing substance usage, there is nonetheless a theme – and not a particularly desirable one – that has taken shape over the past few years.
Yet here, we have a situation where the spell, or rather curse, is likely to be broken, just so long as McCormack, 7-0 (5 KOs), follows the seamless blueprint that has been crafted by the likes of Wood, Joe Cordina and Maxi Hughes.
All of whom, as it happens, boast respective points victories over Lara, Tinoco and Straffon – why? – because they simply maintained a tight defensive shape while refusing to engage in a phone booth-style brawl.
That is not to say that McCormack would fail to outlast Miguel Parra, his next opponent, in a battle of attrition.
But rather, the Olympic silver medallist would surely benefit from producing a clinical, and indeed technically polished, performance at the Rainton Meadows Arena, Tyne and Wear, this Saturday.
It is not as if McCormack remains incapable of putting such tactics into motion, either.
In fact, Parra, 25-5-1 (17 KOs) – someone who likes to hold his feet in the pocket – could be the ideal candidate for the 30-year-old to showcase his slippery skills against.
Perhaps most notably, the Mexican dropped a split decision to Shakhram Giyasov, the now-WBA ‘interim’ welterweight champion, last year.
And yet, had it not been for an egregious call by the referee – who docked a point for a low blow in the sixth round, despite Giyasov landing a perfectly decent body shot – then the Uzbek would have won by a more comfortable margin.
But still, it must be said that Parra remains a sturdy, yet unremarkable, puncher, which is why McCormack, especially in this fight, needs to establish himself as a crafty technician – always shifting his feet in-and-out of range while, at the same time, responding with a series of sharp counters.
Pat McCormack vs Miguel Parra Fight Prediction
An explosive start from Parra is likely to inspire McCormack to stick his opponent on the end of a prolific jab, rather than meet fire with fire, until he eventually decides to trade in the pocket.
It is only then that McCormack, urged to return to his more defensively responsible approach, learns that a grandstand finish is perhaps beyond his grasp.
At which point, the talented boxer-puncher should see out the remaining rounds with a particularly measured effort, before claiming a convincing victory on points.
With their fight being a WBA eliminator, McCormack may then wish to propel himself closer towards world honours by targeting a showdown with Giyasov – another Matchroom fighter – towards the end of this year.
Otherwise, a domestic dustup with British champion Conah Walker, who has been mooted as a possible opponent, could make perfect sense.
