Clever matchmaking, alongside creative storytelling, is crucial in the development of an up-and-comer in the sport of boxing. And the result of that matchmaking (Pat McCormack stopped Miguel Parra in nine rounds) alongside the crux of the story (McCormack is on the brink of conquering the world after winning a WBA welterweight eliminator) are understandably causing a lot of people to get very excited indeed.
As difficult as it might be to resist the existing narrative, the truth is yet to be told.
In his previous bout, in February, the (rightly) highly regarded McCormack passed his then-biggest test when he halted the experienced Robbie Davies Jnr in six rounds, convincing the veteran to retire from both the fight and the sport. Parra, from Mexico and ranked No. 12 at welterweight by the WBA, represented the next rung on the ladder.
The 32-year-old Parra’s form at this level had been mixed, however. Though he convinced one of three judges he had done enough to beat current WBA mandatory Shakhram Giyasov over 10 rounds last summer, losing over the same distance to Florian Marku in 2022 and being halted inside four by Roiman Villa the year before perhaps revealed more about his chances of upsetting McCormack inside Houghton-le-Spring’s Rainton Meadows Arena on Saturday night.
McCormack, a two-time Olympian for Great Britain who claimed a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, certainly exhibited his vast potential. Holding the center of the ring while flashing fast hands and utilizing clever feet, he exposed Parra’s limitations when faced with such pristine education. The Englishman’s jab, aside from when it was doubled and tripled, was always followed by a textbook right hand – and his aim was nearly always on point. Furthermore, his ability to hit while on the move, as he showcased exemplary management of distance, was nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Patient and calm, yet always ready to explode, McCormack cruised to 8-0 (6 KOs) with such ease that one might now be fooled into thinking he is already the complete package. But he will require greater tests than this before such lofty conclusions can be drawn. After all, not all welterweights will leave themselves so open or be so beatable.
Parra, however, was brave and willing. After swallowing shots from all angles in the fifth – after the Ben Davison-trained McCormack swarmed with authority from the start – he briefly looked lost. McCormack lost a point in the sixth for straying below the belt then, unbothered, thwacked Parra’s head back with a terrific right hand.
By the ninth, Parra was all but beaten.
McCormack, 30, found a higher gear and, even though eager to end the fight, resisted completely putting the pedal to the metal. Instead, he patiently and opportunely summoned the right punches.
His jab, which by now was injected with extra spite, was trailed by not only a right but also well-drilled combinations designed to hurt. When the bell sounded, Parra’s corner signaled that enough was enough. It was the right call; another three minutes would have been both futile and painful for their man.
There was talk of Conah Walker as McCormack’s next opponent, even WBA titleholder Rolly Romero, too.
“I’m ready for anyone,” the winner said afterwards. He might well be, too.
Matt Christie, a lifelong fight fan, has worked in boxing for more than 20 years. He left Boxing News in 2024 after 14 years, nine of which were spent as editor-in-chief. Before that, he was the producer of weekly boxing show “KOTV.” Now the co-host of ”The Opening Bell” podcast and regularly used by Sky Sports in the UK as a pundit, Matt was named as the Specialist Correspondent of the Year at the prestigious Sports Journalism Awards in 2021, which was the seventh SJA Award he accepted during his stint in the hot seat at Boxing News. The following year, he was inducted into the British Boxing Hall of Fame. He is a member of the BWAA and has been honored several times in their annual writing awards.
