Wanting the big tite nights as a professional but not looking beyond the next fight.
That is Pat McCormack who is excited to be making his ring return on a big night of boxing in Manchester on Saturday, October 26.
The Tokyo 2021 Olympic silver medallist has been paired with Argentine warrior Williams Andres Herrera on the undercard of Jack Catterall’s showdown with Regis Prograis at the new state-of-the-art Co-op Live next door to Man City’s stadium.
It is a testing first assignment back for McCormack who has not thrown a punch in anger since his stoppage victory over Tony Dixon in Sheffield in July 2023.
The 29-year-old was due to headline a Matchroom NXTGEBN event in Newcastle last November, only to pull out with an unspecified injury.
However, Pat in an interview with SecondsOut at the Ben Davison Performance Centre in Essex, explained he is relishing the October 26 bout and beyond.
“I’m excited to be back,” said the Washington welterweight, who is eying an old-fashioned route on his boxing journey.
“Obviously, I’ve had time out because of injuries, but looking forward to getting back under the lights and getting active.
“I want another one this year, if I can, then three or four next year.
“All my focus is on October 26. Hopefully I’ll get the job done then work towards titles next year – the British, Commonwealth and European, things like that.”
McCormack added, tellingly, that “you can’t look past anyone” and that person is Señor Herrera.
The 28-year-old, from Cordoba, has built up a 16-3 record with all 16 of his victories coming in his homeland.
He has made three appearances in 10-round exotically-named affairs, winning the IBF Latino belt against Sergio Manuel Llendo in an all-Argentinian match before losing widely on points to unbeaten Canadian Josh Wagner for thew IBO Americas title in July 2023.
Herrera gained considerable respect back in January when he took on Paddy Donovan for the Irishman’s WBA Continental crown.
Click here to watch full Seconds Out interview with McCormack
Williams put in a tremendous effort, before being stopped in the seventh round.
It should mean he will be no pushover at Co-op Live for McCormack, pictured about with coach Ben Davison.
“I’m expecting a tough fight,” McCormack told SecondsOut.
“But I believe I’m on a different level to this kid and think I’ll outbox him and hopefully get the stoppage.
“It’s one fight at a time. I’ve got to get through this fella first and hopefully look good the push on to see what’s next.”
The show, live on DAZN, will be headlined by Catterall’s clash with America’s former two-time world champion Prograis and features a British and Commonwealth super-featherweight title defence by Watford’s Reece Bellotti against Manchester’s Michael Gomez Jnr.
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: Mark Robinson/ Matchroom
