Belfast’s Padraig McCrory got back to winning ways with a tough points win over Leonard Carrillo in Belfast on Friday.

The 36-year-old defeated the Colombian 98-91 in his first match since being stopped by Edgar Berlanga in February.

Carrillo came in with a 17-5 record, winning 16 of them from distance, so his threat could not be underestimated and he brought that power to the Belfast ring.

This was not an easy comeback mission for McCrory as his opponent tested his resolve from the start, pushing the home favorite multiple times in a frantic first round.

Referee Hugh Russell Jnr was first on deck as his slide created a roar of amusement from the crowd and soon the chants began as Carrillo was on the canvas from McCrory’s punishing left.

The 35-year-old man from Barranquilla stood up and turned the tables on McCrory; The Belfast man found himself in real trouble but managed to stand tall.

Carrillo seemed happy to wait for the opportunity to respond with a big strike until a late surge left the home fighter struggling a bit at times and a tense finish that ultimately went McCrory’s way.