Crumlin coach delighted to see club recognised in Mayweather v McGregor build-up

Crumlin Boxing Club is always a hive of activity, however in recent weeks there has been activity of a different sort.

The famous south Dublin club has become something of a holy grail for those in the fight game looking to learn about the boxing background of one Conor McGregor.

‘The Notorious’ makes his professional debut this Saturday against Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas, moving across from mixed martial arts for a mega money bout.

However, as people around the world have been learning, it is more of a return than a venture into completely unknown territory for McGregor. The 29 year old spent much of his teenage years at Phil Sutcliffe’s club, learning the fundamentals, and the gym has been featured in articles and videos from major outlets all over the world.

Crumlin BC is feeling the buzz ahead of the showdown at the T-Mobile Arena. While McGregor may be better known for his exploits in MMA, he remains an inspiration for many in the club and the community and the recently-refurbished gym will be packed out in the early hours of Sunday morning for the fight.

Crumlin coach Aaron Dempsey told Irish-Boxing.com that “there is great excitement around the club since the fight was announced. There seems to be a constant flow of camera crews and journalists passing through. It’s great because they’re all portraying the positives of the club and that cannot be a bad thing.”

“Personally I think its great also to see the exposure Phil Sutcliffe and Bra Brady are getting on an international level.”

“Granted Conor has long moved on from our club and has his own team of coaches now, but there is no doubting his success in the octagon is due to his superior boxing skills and there is no doubt, in my mind, where he acquired those skills – on Crumlin Boxing Club trained by these two men. I think it’s fitting that this is recognised.”

“They deserve it for all the time they put in, for not only Conor, but the hundreds of boys and girls that have passed through the doors in almost 30 years.

The term ‘Boxing Snob’ has entered the vocabulary in recent weeks. Used to describe fans and fighters who are against the fight, there are plenty with the opinion that the match-up is one-sided, bad for boxing, and stealing coverage from worthier fights.

Dempsey is more laidback, and notes the inspirational nature of McGregor’s rise. He admits that “the fight is something I never thought Id see but when it makes so much financial sense its really no big surprise.”

“You cannot begrudge what the man has done, taken himself from the dole to a multi-million dollar fight in four years using only his body, mind and mouth is incredible.”

“That dedication and confidence is a great example for the younger members of the club, or any young sportsperson.”

Back before he held the pads, Dempsey had donned the gloves. Part of a Crumlin golden era in the 1990s, he was always there or there abouts.

He never crossed over with McGregor at the club, however he does share a common opponents of sorts. Almost 19 years before the UFC star got his gloves on two-weight champion Paulie Malignaggi, Dempsey inflicted the first ever defeat on ‘The Magic Man,’ scoring an amateur win on a Crumlin v New York show at the National Stadium in Dublin.

He takes a considered view on the sparring controversy which took over the build-up for a few weeks.

Dempsey described how “the Malignaggi spars and fallout was a strange one, I don’t think either side covered themselves in glory.”

“I was initially surprised to hear he was going into camp, especially being retired and Id’ imagine not very fit judging by the Eggington fight.”

“I think now it has totally backfired on him [Malignaggi] leaving camp and the video that has emerged – but I do also think it was bad form to release images from the spars from and also a one minute video clip from 20 rounds of sparring showing a very visibly knackered Malignaggi getting beat up.”

“These sessions should remain private. Its obvious now they decided Paulie would be a perfect opponent for Conor to look and feel good against – a smaller, not very powerful, not very fit opponent, but a two time World Champion with a good name.”

Indeed Dempsey believes that, if done differently, the link-up could have proved beneficial. He reasoned that “I honestly think though the McGregor camp missed a trick. Although his best fighting days are long behind him, Malignaggi does know the game inside out and is a well respected and intelligent analyst.”

“I really think he would have been better utilised as an advisor, especially in a team lacking in top level pro boxing experience as opposed to a confidence booster which is what he was used as.”

Stripping back everything, and looking at the fight as purely a sporting contest, Dempsey is a realistic man who wont let loyalty cloud common sense.

“The fight itself for me is a forgone conclusion,” he states.

“As much as you have to admire McGregor for getting himself into this position, plus the fact he is one of our own, for me there is no escaping the fact he is stepping into a new sport and, in his debut, taking on one of the best boxers of the last 20 years. A boxer who has seen off some of the greatest champions of our generation, some, like Canelo Alvarez, with ease!”

Outlining how he sees the fight going, Dempsey believes McGregor must start fast, but even then he does not think it will be enough.”

“I think his best chance is adopting the Maidana approach and coming for Floyd from the bell with his size, energy and novice awkwardness and try to upset Floyd’s composure, perhaps look to land that big left hand a couple of times.

“But once Mayweather gets a read on him I’m afraid there is only one outcome. For me there is a gulf of levels between them that all the hype cannot hide.”

“Over the next few rounds I can only see a boxing lesson from Floyd and such an inexperienced corner is a big weakness for him. I can see him retired on his stool or TKO’d by midway through the fight.”

“To quote his old coach Succo: “we give him hope,” a puncher’s hope.

“We will all cheer him on Saturday night all the same and then next week, when the show is over, we get back to coaching the next batch of Crumlin superstars.”

Crumlin BC will show the fight on Saturday night in the clubhouse. There will be a big screen, music, and refreshments. Entry €15, running from 10:00pm to late. Tickets are available from Phil Sutcliffe (0879719193) and Bra Brady (0872804380) or from the clubhouse.