James Clancy fighting in Boston Garden
Saturday night against Tyrone Smith
BOSTON (May 11, 2006) - Unbeaten Irish heavyweight James Clancy (7-0, 1 KO)
takes on Boston police officer Tyrone Smith (5-1-1, 2 KOs), former New
England Golden Golves champion, on Saturday night's Ricky Hatton-Luis
Collazo undercard at the TD Bank North Garden (aka Boston Garden).
Clancy, now living in the Boston suburb of Waltham, is from Clare, Ireland.
He has followed the path other successful Irish boxers such as Barry
McGuigan, Steve Collins, Wayne McCullough and more recently Kevin McBride
and John Duddy have traveled from the Emerald Isle to the United States.
"An Irish fighter in the states, especially in Boston or New York City, is
worth his weight in gold. I believe that there is more respect for Irish
boxers here than back in Ireland or England. It's a privilege for me to be
fighting on the Hatton-Collazo card in the Boston Garden, which is much like
Madison Square Garden. This is going to be great for me and everybody else
on the card.
"I've been working on my power because I want to become more of a
boxer-puncher. I'm going to be aggressive Saturday night and really work the
body. I want to keep fighting, build my record up, and see what course it
takes. When I go home to Ireland I'll be well known."
Clancy's supporters will be out in force having purchased nearly $20,000 in
tickets. They'll be waving Irish flags, singing the traditional "soccer"
chant, and wearing plenty of green.
Boxing was part of growing up back in Clare for James and his younger
brother, Mark, who is an undefeated cruiserweight (4-0-1) as a professional.
James developed into a five-time Irish national champion, highlighted by his
All-Irish Senior honor in 1995. As an amateur Clancy defeated present Irish
heavyweight champion and his close friend, Kevin McBride, who was the
youngest Irish Olympic boxer ever and last year retired Mike Tyson.
Clancy's shot at the 1996 Olympics failed when he was injured against the
English champion in a qualifying match. James was sidelined for eight
months, continued his amateur career for a while, and then got out of the
sport. In 2001, he decided on a a change of scenary, moving to Boston and
using the civil engineering degree that he had earned from RTC in Cork to
become a fulltime construction worker.
"I hadn't fought for two years until Kevin (McBride) asked me to go down to
Petronelli's Gym (in Brockton)," James explained. "I did a little sparring,
one thing led to another, and instead of returning to fight as an amateur, I
decided to turn pro."
Clancy, who lost a 3-2 decision to Calvin Brock as an amateur, made his pro
debut March 17 2003, stopping Dan Veskovic in the second round of their
fight at The Roxy in Boston. He continues to spar with the "Clones
Colossus," McBride, as well as other New England fighters such as 2004 U.S.
Olympian Jason "Big Six" Estrada and USNABC cruiserweight champion Matt "Too
Smooth" Godfrey.
James, 33, works out of the South Boston Gym and is trained by Jimmy
Gifford.
McBride said he'd abdicate his Irish heavyweight title to give Clancy an
opportunity to fight for it against Colin Kenna. First, though, James has to
get past a tough cop named Smith, fighting on the biggest stage of his
career.
Source-JC-PR