Creggan's Conal McBrearty adds the WKU 5 Nations Super Welterweight title!

Conal McBrearty added the WKU 5 Nations Super Welterweight title to his growing collection with a third-round stoppage in his latest fight, further cementing the legacy of an already legendary 22-year-old.

Not content with winning the AKC Irish title, the WKU All-Ireland and the ISKA Irish title last year, Conal has been travelling at home and around Europe to further expand his reputation, as well as his skill-set.

‘The Creggan Juggernaut’ defeated Cavan’s Cian McCabe in their Five-Nations title fight last weekend, an opponent who only recently won the Celtic Nations title in Scotland. It was a deliberate yet emphatic performance from the Derry man.

“The fight started at a very fast pace which I knew would happen because I’ve watched a couple of fights and he’s a fast starter like myself,” he reflected.

“He started working his clinch so he was grabbing me and throwing the knee. I started to notice an opening when he did that, so I started feeding him the clinch, just allowing him to do it.

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“It must have been the third time he came in for the clinch, I whipped the right knee up and the right knee cracked his rib. He winched and he went down but he got back up immediately and the fight continued from there. So, from there leading into the second round, I knew he was hurt. And Sean knew he was hurt as well. We stayed on top of that rib, setting it up, and every time I hit it, he went down. I think he went down a total of three times before finally, in the third round, I hit the injured area with a right kick and he went down again and this time he stayed down for a third round TKO.”

This latest showing is evidence, if any were needed, that Conal is growing even more methodically and dangerous as a fighter.

“I feel like I’m able to read situations better rather than just scrambling and fighting,” he agreed. “It’s more of a game of chess now and I bide my time. I’ve become very patient in there. Don’t get me wrong, I have two styles of fighting; I have the juggernaut style of fighting as many people well know, and the I’ve got the technician analysis kind of fighting where I analyse and see openings and capitalise on them.

“It’s adapting to every situation. Every fight now is different. There are types where I may have to revert back to that juggernaut style because that’s the only option, but if I can see a way to be technical and find openings, then I’ll go with that. If that doesn’t work, I revert back again. And you never know, there may even be another still in there yet to be exposed.”

Having just lost out on the European title in Sheffield, Conal is eager to keep proving himself with still plenty more to achieve in 2025.

“I definitely feel now that I’m the one to beat in Ireland. Even outside of the Irish circle,” he explained. “I feel I have done more than any Irish K1 fighter on the Irish circuit and since K1 was introduced in Ireland. I do feel that I deserve my crack again at the European title because I feel like I won that fight. If not, I’m even ready for the World title, so whatever comes to the table, Sean and I will discuss and we will be ready for it regardless.”

Conal is not one for resting, always looking for his next opportunity as he pursues a greatness that very few, if any, at his age, have ever experienced.

“A lot of people say that to me,” he laughed. “It gives you a wee blast of hindsight and right enough, I am only 22. But they can say these are your peak years as well and this is the time to do it. There’s no point waiting until your thirties. I feel that I am more advanced. If you look at my opposition, I think in over 30 fights, I think I’ve fought someone my age twice. Everybody else is late 20s into their thirties.

“Yes, I am 22, but physically in the fighting world, I’m definitely at my peak because I’m able to keep up with these boys and put them away. That’s why I feel I’m ready for a World title fight. I’m more than ready for it. I’m still very patient, but I know what I want.”