Feargal McCrory reacts to 'heartbreaking' World title defeat in USA

Brave Feargal McCrory went down fighting on Friday night as he came up short in his World title bid in the United States. The Co Tyrone fighter suffered a TKO loss to Lamont Roach Jr in Washington DC.

Roach proved too much for McCrory as the American successfully defended his WBA super-featherweight belt at the Entertainment and Sports Arena.

McCrory's corner halted the bout in the eighth round after Roach landed a punishing combination on the Coalisland native, who was down in the third and fourth rounds.

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'Fearless' by name and nature, McCrory showed tremendous heart to keep pressurising Roach, and did find some success up close in the fifth.

But the American soon reasserted himself, and a barrage of shots in the eighth prompted McCrory's corner to call it off.

The Irishman earned plenty of credit for his performance, but ultimately he says he is 'devastated' after losing out in Washington DC.

He said on social media: "I came to win, I believed I would. I dared to be great and I fell short. I'm perfectly fine, but completely heartbroken. Devastated to be honest!!

"Let me regroup and learn from this. I'll be back! I went out on my shield and thank you to Colin Morgan for saving me from myself.

"Well done Lamont Roach Jr, you were better than me tonight and I congratulate you!

"Thank you all so much for the support!! Amazing."

Meanwhile, Roach says he is now targeting unification fights after successfully defending his WBA belt.

He said: “My next goal to conquer is unification so any champion watching this, just know I’m on yer ass."

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