Jamie: I’ve got the Power

29 April 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Light-heavyweight contender Jamie Power has admitted that winning the vacant Irish title on May 15 in front of a passionate home crowd will make him the proudest man in Limerick.

The 29-year-old meets John Waldron for the national crown on a packed Brian Peters promotion that sees Andy Lee headlining at the citys University Arena.

Im very much ready and I wish the fight was tomorrow, an excited Power told Irish-boxing.com.

Ive got a nutritionist involved for this fight so the weight should be spot on and Im full of energy. Im prepared for one, two or ten hard rounds, whatever it turns out to be.

Power now sports a 7-1 (4 KOs) record, with the sole loss coming courtesy of Michael Sweeneys talented fists last September. While Power has learned from that loss he refuses to discuss the prospect of a rematch, focusing firmly on Waldrons threat. The two were pencilled in to meet in Tallaght last July but the contest never materialised.

The fight didnt happen before, for whatever reason, but thats okay because its my dream to win an Irish title in front of my home crowd in Limerick so things have worked out to get me this opportunity.

I have a lot of respect for John, weve sparred before and hes a tough guy. We have a very good game plan for this fight and Im sure John will have one too so well find out who has the better plan on the night.

Power has been doing plenty of sparring and taking half minute breaks in between the practice rounds, rather than the stipulated minute, to improve his stamina.

My fitness trainer thinks that these little things will count on fight night, explained Jamie.

Ive been sparring with an Intermediate heavyweight champion plus the McDonagh boys [JJ and Paddy, who meets Ciaran Healy on the same bill up in Mullingar, getting good tough rounds.

Away from the spotlight Power enjoys relaxing with his wife and children, watching television and winding down from the rigours of professional boxing.

I work full-time as well as boxing because the bills have got to be paid, he added, before giving more detail on his previous trip to New York to mix with the bog boys.

I was in the Bronx in New York in 2004 and boxed in the Golden Gloves and sparred the likes of Lou Del Valle which was a great experience for me. It was tough being the only white guy in the gym and the attitude was put up or shut up amongst the other boys.

I was due to go back out to the States about a year ago only the fight got pulled, but I would definitely go back to fight again if the chance came up.

Oisin Fagan said that despite all his fights in America the highlight of his career was winning the Irish title and hopefully all will go well for me so I can become a champion as well.

Power is the sort of blue collar fighter that typifies the spirit of professional boxing. He has left no stone unturned in his modest quest to become domestic king at light-heavyweight.

Ill be the first ever Limerick-born man to win the title so it would make me very proud, beamed Power before adding, tongue in cheek, Andy Lee wasnt actually born in Limerick but he can take the European title anyway, all I want is this Irish belt!