Padraig McCrory defeated by Edgar Berlanga after sixth-round TKO

Belfast fighter Padraig McCrory's super middleweight bout against Edgar Berlanga ended in defeat after a sixth-round TKO at Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.

After a hard-fought contest, the previously unbeaten McCrory was caught by a right hand from the American, who came into the fight with a 21-0 record including 16 wins by knockout, with about 30 seconds remaining in the sixth round.

McCrory, 35, had described the Berlanga fight as the "biggest fight of my career" in the lead-up with both boxers acknowledging that victory would open doors towards potential world title contender status.

It was Berlanga's first fight since last June when he beat Donegal's Jason Quigley by unanimous decision to retain the NABO super middleweight title.