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“Nice and smooth” – Crank Whitehouse feeling better than ever ahead of Celtic Clash 3


Crank Whitehouse [6(1)-0] is looking to make it a magnificent seven when he returns to the ring next Saturday.

The Balbriggan welterweight has endured a stop-start, injury-afflicted past couple of years, but is finally firing on all cylinders and ready to kick on.

Everything is starting to come together for the Tony Davitt-backed boxer ahead of his prominent spot on the ‘Celtic Clash 3: Building Champions’ card this Saturday at the National Stadium

“This has been a good camp, this has been a very good camp,” he told Irish-Boxing.com

“Plenty of sparring, plenty of rounds – like every camp, but this one just ran a little bit better, nice and smooth.”

“As an amateur I used to move a lot more, but now I’m starting to settle down and really push on when I feel my opponent’s tiring. Tony’s been working a lot with me on sitting down on my shots and perfecting my power.”

Still only 22 years old, the Bracken man is practically a veteran compared to the rest of the card and will be the most experienced fight on the bill.

A student of the game, Whitehouse is eager to improve and learn. He explained how “I’ve loads of experience as an amateur – and one thing that never leaves you is experience. I’m carrying it with me now, and you never stop learning.”

“I’m learning all the time and that’s what I want to do, just keep learning and keep progressing and hopefully rack up a few major titles down the line.”

“I’m learning all the time. Once I come out of a fight and there’s something to go off and learn about, I’m happy.”

Case in point being his most recent win against Gabor Kovacs on ‘Celtic Clash 2: The Rising’ in May.

Analysing the six-round points win, Whitehouse noted how “I couldn’t have really done much more.”

“In the first round, two minutes thirty into the first round, we kind of met fifty-fifty on a right hand. If you look back on it, you’ll see that he was gone, his legs were gone, and he was just holding and tying me up.”

“For the rest of that fight he wouldn’t trade, he just kept moving. I was maybe too patient if I want to be critical.”

While many will be looking to make a statement on the packed card, Whitehouse knows that this can be a recipe for trouble and is instead just focusing on himself.

“I never think about anyone else, or who’s watching,” he outlined. “I think that’s where most people make their mistake. They go in there looking to knock people out and looking to impress, make a statement.”

“I’ll go in there, do what I have to do, and it will be another win.”

“I haven’t lost a round yet as a professional. I’ve won every round, so I’m not doing too much wrong!”

Headlined by the Eric Donovan v Dai Davies BUI Celtic featherweight title fight, the ‘Celtic Clash 3: Building Champions’ card also features Regan Buckley v Carl McDonald, James Cahill, Stephen McAfee, Martin Quinn, Aiden Metcalfe, Dylan McDonagh, Colin O’Donovan, Chris Mullally, Michael Gallagher, Keane McMahon, Niall O’Connor, John Joyce and Bernard Roe.

Tickets for the show cost €30 (Balcony), €40 (Gallery), €60 (Ringside), €100 (VIP Premium), and €15 (Under-15s gallery – must be bought alongside an adult ticket) and are available to buy from Gerard at 089 235 7211 or online at Ticketmaster.ie

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

gym trition

frayne carpentry

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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