Introducing: James Power – Ireland’s Youngest Pro Fighter

Pro boxing was always the dream for Cork’s James Power.

For most top-end teenage punchers, and many more older fighters, Tokyo 2020 is currently top of the to-do list.

However, the Leaving Cert student, who becomes Ireland’s youngest pro when he punches for pay in Mexico this weekend claims the Olympics has never interested him.

For most the Olympics is the Holy Grail and even for the pro keen amateurs it’s seen as a chance to catch promoters; eyes and secure favourable pro contracts, thus making attempting to qualify more than worth the risk.

However, light welterweight Power claims he has an obsession with the pro ranks that made Toyko, the Olympics, and even senior level amateur irrelevant to his thinking.

“I never wanted to go to the Olympics, that was never a goal of mine. I’ve always been obsessed with pro boxing and I’ve never lost sight of that. Anyone that truly knows me will understand my decision,” the 17-year-old told Irish-Boxing.com.

“Of course people brought up the Olympics. It’s something everyone in boxing talks about but almost everybody was supportive and they thought it was a good move for me.”

“I like to approach things differently and I enjoy challenges, so when the opportunity came along I was definitely interested.”

“I’ve been dreaming about this my whole life. I’ve had an obsession with this sport since the day I first held a pair of gloves. Very early on I set myself a goal to turn professional, I worked towards it every day and finally here we are.”

Power, who will be trained by Declan Geraghty Snr, isn’t the only teen fighter people have been talking about of late.

Ruadhan Farrell and Kelvin McDonald have both also turned pro before their twentieth bithday but it is Monaghan’s Aaron McKenna, now 19, who has been Ireland’s top teen talent.

The man that replaces the Golden Boy prospect him as Ireland’s youngest pro has happily watched McKenna’s success.

“Of course, I follow and support all of our Irish fighters. I’ve been following Aaron’s pro career and I will continue to follow it.”

“He’s a great lad and I hope he reaches the top. I hope we all do.”

Power achieves a lifetime ambition, if you can call it as such considering his young age, in Mexico where he will have two fights in a week – but in terms of setting new goals, he is keeping it simple.

There are no bold world title claims or Irish title predictions, rather the Young Rebel, who has never fought without a headguard before, just wants to return to school with two wins in the back pocket of his uniform.

“I just want to win both my fights next, I want to come home safe, unharmed, and have two wins to kick off my pro career. Being honest, that is my only focus right now.”

While he didn’t make any long term career predictions, Power does predict his style will prove entertaining and he has set himself an entertain agenda.

“I like to mix it up and I’m not afraid to take a punch to land my own. Simply put, every time I step into a ring I try my best to make it exciting. That’s always my main focus, to entertain everyone watching.”