Pat McCormack handled business in Sunderland, nothing more, nothing less. He broke down Miguel Parra until the Mexican’s corner waved it off after nine rounds, this was routine work dressed up for a hometown crowd. The fans at Sunderland Live went home happy, though the fight did little to show where McCormack really stands in the wider welterweight picture.
The Olympic silver medallist looked sharp and relentless late on, breaking Parra down in systematic fashion. But calling Parra a “top 15 in the world” opponent, as McCormack proudly did post-fight, feels more like promotional spin than cold reality — BoxRec has Parra ranked outside the top 200 at welterweight as of September 2025. Beating this level keeps the local momentum going, but it doesn’t answer the obvious: can McCormack really hang with the elite?
Does McCormack Need Belts Now Or Just Better Opponents?
After the fight, McCormack wasted no time name-dropping Conah Walker, then pivoted toward the British, European or Commonwealth straps. It’s the natural play — get hardware, stay relevant. But belts alone don’t make a fighter proven. He’s 29 and needs real opposition soon if he doesn’t want to be just another “Olympic star who never quite cracked it.”
The way he framed it — “I broke him down, I was getting stronger” — sounded convincing. Yet, for anyone paying close attention, Parra absorbed plenty and kept coming, proving he wasn’t a real threat but at least durable. That’s not the résumé booster McCormack needs at this stage.
Troy Williamson Steals the Show With English Title War
If anyone left Sunderland with their stock raised, it was Troy Williamson. His ninth-round stoppage of Mark Dickinson in a fiery derby fight looked like the night’s true statement. Williamson showed grit, weathered fire, and then hammered Dickinson with the kind of finishing salvo that gets people talking. The stoppage was officially recorded at 2:11 of the ninth.
Sunny Edwards calling it a “Fight of the Year” contender might be overcooked, but it was the rawest action of the evening. Even Ringmagazine highlighted it on social clips the following morning, calling Williamson “back in the mix at 154.”
Williamson’s post-fight words carried weight: “I know I’m above this level.” For once, a line like that didn’t sound delusional. If he strings wins together, there’s daylight again for him in a division that never runs short of domestic drama.
Leo Atang and the Hype Machine Starts Rolling
The teenage heavyweight Leo Atang did what he was supposed to: bombed out Cristian Uwaka early. Two fights, two KOs, and already Matchroom has him booked for Sheffield on October 11. He’s 18, raw, and being marketed hard. The danger? Fast-tracking a kid with power before he’s learned the ugly parts of the game — something British boxing fans saw before with Daniel Dubois.
Atang himself sounded grounded afterward, telling Sky Sports he was “back in the gym Monday.” Good words — but words are cheap when the machine wants highlight reels.