Ireland’s Padraig ‘The Hammer’ McCrory (15-0) picked up a huge victory on away soil, knocking out Germany’s Leon Bunn (18-1) to pick up the vacant IBO light heavyweight title in Frankfurt.
The Irishman would drop Bunn in rounds two, three and six on his way to a sixth-round TKO victory.
Both men came into the bout undefeated, McCrory was fighting for the first time at light heavyweight, as he had campaigned at super middleweight previously.
Both men had a big following, as it was a lively atmosphere in the Fabriksportshalle in Frankfurt, but it would be the travelling fans who would leave the arena celebrating.
The pair met at the centre of the ring in the first round and traded shots. Bunn would hit the canvas, but it would be ruled a slip, however, it was apparent that McCrory’s shots were landing as Bunn’s right eye began to redden.
Bunn would land a shot at the beginning of the round that would draw blood from the Irishman’s nose. This would inspire McCrory, as he would take control and land a right hook which would send the German to the floor. Bunn would rise to his feet, but ‘The Hammer’ unloaded heavy artillery sending the home fighter into survival mode.
The referee would call a break during McCrory’s onslaught for uses of the heel of his glove, buying Bunn valuable time as he survived the round.
The Irishman picked up from where he left off in round three, as he would once again floor Bunn. McCrory unloaded on the German, but Bunn managed to stay on his feet and finish the round.
McCrory’s punch output would drop in the next couple of rounds but was still landing heavy shots on Bunn, as he would extend his inevitable lead.
Round six would see the end of the bout, as McCrory marched down Bunn before detonating a short right hand, sending the German through the ropes. Bunn rose to his feet, but the towel came in, confirming McCrory as the new IBO light heavyweight champion.
ANDDDDDDD THEEEEEE NEWWWW@padraigmc1988 knocks Leon Bunn down 3 times on route to a 6th round stoppage win
Pody is now the New IBO Light Heavyweight champion
What a performance, what a win, what a guy
We now have 3 IBO Kings of Ireland#BunnMcCrorypic.twitter.com/DGYOW4RT5b
— Boxing Tickets NI (@BoxingTicketsNI) October 22, 2022
The Irish contingent will be celebrating a clean sweep in Germany, as two of their fighters who featured on the undercard. Both Kurt Walker (4-0) and Kieran Molloy (3-0) extended their undefeated records with points victories.