EMOTION PICTURE

Belfast’s ‘Cinderella Man’ confident he can surge to life-changing victory against heavy-hitter in Orlando

PADRAIG MCCRORY will be channelling his inner James J. Braddock when he steps into the ring against Edgar Berlanga on Saturday night.

Braddock’s rags to riches story was documented in a 2005 Hollywood movie and Mccrory has been labelled Belfast’s very own ‘Cinderella Man’.

He came close to throwing in the towel on his boxing career in 2017 but now he stands tall with a perfect record of 18-0 and is preparing for the biggest night of his career on Saturday.

Mccrory faces fellow unbeaten Edgar Berlanga in Orlando and victory should tee up a world title shot, with names including pound-for-pound great Canelo Alvarez being linked with the Irishman.

“Cinderella Man is probably right. We were scraping around to get on shows, and now we are the main event on the biggest stage in boxing with DAZN and Matchroom,” Mccrory said.

“It is the biggest fight of my career, by a wide margin.

“But these are the fights I want.

“The timing has worked out perfectly for me. My career has been a whirlwind, and much more successful than I ever thought it would be.”

Mccrory is under no illusions ahead of tonight’s fight in Orlando.

He is a big underdog against heavy-hitting Berlanga, but he is ready to “shock the world”.

It is a fight that could change his life, and set up a huge showdown with some of the biggest games in world boxing.

“Eddie Hearn is at the very top in boxing, and to hear him mention names like Canelo gives me added motivation and is very humbling. And there are other big fights out there,” he said.

“I am one win away from changing my life. If you fight some of those names it is life-changing.

“Berlanga is very dangerous. He is

21-0 with 16 knockouts, so he is a big puncher.

“We know what we’re facing and I am under no illusions what I am up against. I am the underdog, but I am quietly confident I will shock the world.

“People don’t expect much from the wee Irishman going to the mighty USA and shocking people, but I will do that.”