Student scrapper James Power KOs homework ahead of pro debut

The pupils of Coachford College will be celebrating regardless of how James Power fares in his debut in Mexico tomorrow night.

It’s homework all round for the 17-year-old’s fellow secondary school pupils as he officially comes Ireland’s youngest pro.

When homework is mentioned in an interview with regard to boxing it’s usually to address the opponent studying done by a coach – but the fact light welterweight Power can drop it in the literal sense hammers home just how young the latest Irish pro to the scene is.

“The teachers are all supportive, they have agreed to help me as much as possible to balance everything. I even heard that because of my pro debut, there will be no homework for the entire school! Maybe I’m trying my luck?” Power told Irish-Boxing.com earlier this week.

The Leaving Cert student, who is being advised by Assassin Promotions and working alongside Andy O’Neill, will replace Golden Boy’s Aaron McKenna as the youngest active puncher from these shores when he fights twice in Mexico over week.

The media coverage surrounding his turning over and age has seen him turn from an amateur known within the boxing family to a fighter everyone is intrigued about.

The hype could bring pressure, while trading underage amateur fights to bouts with fully fledged pros would worry most.

However, Power is more excited than worried. Indeed, his main concern is fighting for the first time without his mother and sister in the crowd.

The Baby-Faced Rebel outlined how “being a younger fighter will be challenging, but worrying about it won’t help me achieve my goals.”

“I always try to focus on the positives, I have an amazing team around that I trust, I feel great and something I’ve dreamed about for years is about to happen.”

“I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a bit different, not having my mother and sister at ringside, but I just want to be in there right now.”

“To be honest, I just can’t wait,” he continued before discussing the media attention.

“It’s nice to know that I’ve got so many people behind me, that want to see me do well in my career. Yourselves [Irish-Boxing.com] and Gavan Casey [the42.ie] have definitely created a sort of ‘buzz’ around my school and at home.”

“Everyone seems to be just as excited as I am for this fight.”

“I don’t want to wait any longer.”