Craig Richards v Padraig McCrory - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainers, records & more

We examine the profiles and statistics of Craig Richards and Padraig McCrory ahead of the pair's light-heavyweight contest in Belfast in March 2025.

There are fights that just make perfect sense when putting together an undercard.

On 1st March at Belfast’s SSE Arena, Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan come together on a Matchroom card for a sizzling super-welterweight main event.

But in the supporting cast there is a potential show-stealer at light heavyweight between Craig Richards and Padraig McCrory. A fight which is the type of good matchmaking that was lacking on UK promoters’ cards in 2024.

It is, however, a high stakes clash with retirement potentially on the horizon for the loser.

So, who will win? Let’s look at the Tale of the Tape.

Craig Richards v Padraig McCrory - Tale of the Tape

	Craig Richards	Padraig McCrory
Age	34	36
Nickname	'Spider'	'The Hammer'
Height	6ft 1ins	6ft 1ins
Reach	73ins	73ins
Weight	Light heavyweight	Light heavyweight
Trainer	Tony Sims	Dee Walsh
Record	18-4-1 (11 KOs)	19-1 (9 KOs)
Last Fight	L v Willy Hutchinson (June 2024)	W v Leonardo Carrillo (November 2024)

Craig Richards - In Profile

Craig Richards’ last four fights have continued a running theme in his career. Falling short when moving up a level but comfortable when dropping back down.

Defeats to the world class Joshua Buatsi and world rated Willy Hutchinson came in amongst wins against the unheralded Marek Matyja and the game Boris Crighton.

During a 10-year career which also saw him go the distance with Dmitry Bivol, the biggest win on Richards’ slate was beating Shakan Pitters to win the British light heavyweight title.

That being said, ‘Spider’ always gives a good account of himself and against Bivol a better start could have completely changed his life and career such was the improved second half he had against the Russian who then held the WBA world title.

Stripping his career back provides evidence as to how big his fight with McCrory is.

It’s another big show, a winnable fight and a chance to get another sizeable bout off the back of it. Another defeat, however, could put him on the gatekeeper shelf for the young guns coming through who will be itching to finish him off.

Craig Richards is often caught between domestic level and world level but on 1st March he must win to prove he still deserves to be at the latter.

Strengths	Weaknesses
World class experience	Power
Good fundamentals	Mileage
Stamina	Needs the right opponent
Punch variety	Repetitive patterns

Padraig McCrory - In Profile

Beating a potentially dangerous opponent such as Leonard Carrillo last time out was more than just a win for Padraig McCrory.

The heavy-handed Colombian was the ideal test to discover where McCrory’s career was heading after the knockout defeat to Edgar Berlanga earlier in 2024.

That was the big occasion which the Belfast man craved, knowing that a win would have put him in line for a potential shot at Canelo Alvarez and a head spinning payday.

McCrory is one of the most popular guys on the circuit and his willingness to be open about his speech stammer and how it has impacted his life is a testament to his courage outside the ring.

A victory over Richards could take him down various directions such as a European title fight or bringing a big light heavyweight name over to Belfast.

Despite being 36 years old, ‘The Hammer’ is arguably in the best shape he’s ever been in.

McCrory has momentum and confidence behind him and the 11/8 on offer for him to win could be the bet of the night on the Belfast card.    

Strengths	Weaknesses
Work-rate	Neglects defence
Combinations	Pace
Chin	Swings wildly
Powerful right hand	Mobility