Galway puncher Clancy upbeat about Down Under pro debut

GEAROID Clancy hopes to catch the eye when he makes his pro debut in Australia this Friday night so he can generate the kind Irish following that has helped secure titles and even top 15 world rankings for the likes of TJ Doheny and Dennis Hogan.

The Galway native, who trains alongside PABA super bantamweight champion Doheny and prospect Jake Hanney in the FBI Gym, becomes the latest of a growing number of Irish punchers turning over in Oz.

The Oughterard graduate, who fought in Oz as an amateur,  punches for pay for the first time in the aptly named Club Punchbowl, New South Wales against fellow pro novice Jai Solomon.

The Connaught is hoping to make a successful start on Friday night before moving up the ladder Down Under.

“I hope to get off to a good start on Friday. Good performances will get my name out there . If I keep active hopefully I can get some big fights and move up the rankings,” the welterweight told Irish-boxing.com.

“It’s exciting for me to be fighting pro over here. All the Irish follow you and get behind you which is great. Tony Devachio (FBI coach) is looking after us Irish boys and teaching us the art of the pro game, so there is good support in that regard too.”