Tommy McCarthy has described Padraig McCrory's power as "freakish" and says the new IBO world light-heavyweight champion is in the top three hardest punchers he has ever shared the ring with.
McCrory made it five knockout wins on the bounce with a devastating sixth-round stoppage of Leon Bunn in Germany last Saturday night.
It saw the 34-year-old become world champion in only his 15th fight, after turning professional five years ago.
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It was McCrory's first step up to light-heavyweight, after mainly campaigning at super-middleweight.
And McCarthy - who fights at cruiserweight - says 'The Hammer' carries explosive power in both hands.
"His win last week was unbelievable. I knew when the fight was made that he would win," McCarthy told Belfast Live.
"Nothing is a foregone conclusion in boxing, but I watched the fella Leon Bunn who is a good, tidy boxer. But I knew when Padraig hit him everything would change.
"Padraig is definitely in the top three hardest punchers I have ever been in the ring with. It is freakish and hard to describe.
"I am struggling to actually think who hits harder, and he is normally two weights below me. He has power in both hands and it is devastating."
McCarthy added: "His foot is in the door now with the IBO title. So there are big fights there for him, and some unification fights.
"There's people like Joshua Buatsi, Anthony Yarde, Craig Richards. Massive fights.
"Padraig is there at the top end of the rankings.
"He can hopefully make a bit of money out of it. He is 34 now and hasn't got too many miles on the clock and he is knocking everyone out.
"He has real momentum."
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