Pat McCormack eyes 2026 world title shot ahead of | Boxing News

“Pat McCormack win and look good doing it.” These had been the confident phrases of Sunderland-born boxer Pat McCormack as he gears up to headline at the Sunderland Live Arena this weekend.

The 30 12 months previous, a two-time Olympian with a report of 7-0 (5 KOs), who is a component of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing secure, is set to return to the North East to face off against Mexican fighter Miguel Parra on Saturday evening.

It’s been a difficult time for the previous Team GB Boxing star, with accidents hindering his progress. However, following an spectacular victory over Robbie Davies Jr back in March, McCormack is prepared to put on a spectacle in the WBA eliminator at welterweight degree.

“It’s been good, it’s been a long camp and I’m ready to go. I’m feeling in good shape, very good shape and ready to go,” stories Chronicle Live.

“I’m thrilled to be back, I had a good win in my last fight, I beat Robbie Davies and I got a good stoppage there. That’s pushed me right up there and now we’re in a good fight with a world ranked opponent. I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s going to be unbelievable, I have not boxed right here for a few years now. It’s good to be home.”

Despite grappling with injuries in the latter stages of 2023 and early 2024, McCormack is eager to get back into the ring.

“To be trustworthy, I acquired back in the health club as soon as I may,” he disclosed. “Obviously I used to be out of the ring for a while but I’ve been in the health club non-stop and I just cannot wait to get back in there Saturday evening.

“It’s the biggest fight of my career but I’ll approach it the same way as every fight. Whatever will be, will be. He’s a tough, game Mexican but I’ve got the gameplan to beat him.

“He’s a good combat, a superb fighter, a knockout puncher but I consider I’ve acquired the abilities to beat him. I really feel like I’ve acquired the abilities to make me look superb. It’s just about profitable and trying good. That’s all that issues.”

Since displaying exceptional talent as an amateur, McCormack has been earmarked for stardom and has his sights set on a world championship bout before the close of 2026.

When questioned whether a world title clash next year was achievable, McCormack declared: “Yeah, 100 per cent, you are only a few fights away but I’ve acquired to keep profitable with a good combat on Saturday. Then push on with a British or European title, one thing like that then we’re there.

“It would be everything I dreamed of growing up as a kid [winning a world title] and hopefully it comes true one day. I’m just taking it one fight at a time.

“I’d like British and European fights but full focus on this one. British title, Conah Walker has it, that’s what I need next or a European title, Commonwealth, whatwever my group needs to make. It’s a combat everyone seems to be speaking about so I believe that’s the combat to make.”

Matchroom promoter Frank Smith declared: “As everybody will let you know, Pat McCormack is a fighter that we consider and everybody believes can go all the way in which. You look at his novice pedigree, what he got here through, I believe clearly what hasn’t been excellent has been the delays.

“The injuries have been hard to keep that momentum and building him as we all know we can and where he can get to. On Saturday night he’s got a tough, real fight against Miguel Parra, WBA eliminator and starts building his way through.

“I believe by the end of next 12 months, the goal has to be world titles. Everyone is aligned with that. I believe had we not had the accidents, he would have been in that place now.

“He’s got everything and more to go to the top of this sport and be a world champion, a unified world champion. He will do it. 100 per cent, no doubt.

“I believe now is when we are able to kick on with the journey. September sixth with Miguel Parra is a real combat, but then after this, keep him lively, keep him busy and goal to get him back out by the end of this 12 months.

“By the end of 2026, this man will be a world champion.” When questioned about whether or not a potential conflict with Conah Walker for the British title may materialise in future, Smith responded: “Yeah, 100 per cent, look, Conah Walker has shown in his fights over the last year he can never be ruled out. He’s got so much heart, desire and fight in him.

“That can be a super combat for Pat McCormack, but as I say, you’ll be able to’t look past Miguel Parra and what he brings. This is the sort of combat Pat wants. Where he is lacked the momentum, he wants people who are going to check him because he is so good.

“If he goes in there with people who don’t push him forward, it’s not going to do anything for his career and at the stage he’s at, this is where we need to work towards. I think Conah Walker is a fight we see next.

“It’s all about Saturday evening, he wants to come through that. He’s a skilled and he is going to be centered on delivering a super efficiency.”

Blocking his path, boasting a record of 25-5-1 (17 KOs), stands Mexican fighter Parra, who declared: “I’ve had heaps of preparation for this combat, we thought it was going to be 10 rounds, it is 12 rounds, but I’ve executed heaps of training. I’m going to get pleasure from this combat and do the best I can.”