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TV Star – Dean Clancy sets TG4 goal

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He’s only had one fight as an adult boxer but Dean Clancy has the confidence of a 100-fight veteran – and he could be coming to a TV screen near you very soon.

The double European underage silver medallist and Youth Olympian claimed the Irish Senior [Intermediate] bantamweight title in a dominant debut on Friday night and already has his sights set on the Elite featherweight crown.

Despite only turning 18 last month, Clancy is ready, willing, and able to take on the best in Ireland and is confident he can spring a surprise or two in the championships which begin this coming Friday.

The powerful Sligo fighter defeated Jamie Griffin to on Friday, scoring a comprehensive unanimous decision win, and was flying high afterwards.

“I love it without headgear!” he told Irish-Boxing.com afterwards.

“You’re more aware, the fact you know you’re going to get hurt [if you get hit] so you’re more alert.

“I got a straight final and I kind of wish I got more fights and more experience before the Elites with no headguard but I seemed to fit in
there and live up to expectations. I’m ready to rock.”

Clancy is now joining a class that includes the likes of European Games and EU champion Kurt Walker, reigning Irish lightweight champ Davey Oliver Joyce, exciting Ulster duo JP Hale and Colm Murphy, and last year’s runner-up Christian Cekiso, in a stacked division.

The Sean McDermott’s puncher, however, isn’t scared, and cheekily jokes how “I’m coming for Kurt Walker!”

“I want to go straight for it.”

His achievements show that Clancy is no spoofer and he notes how the confidence is based on “all the training I do.”

“I’m constantly training, even out of season.”

“I always was a confident fella. I just love massive crowds, if every one of them seats was filled I’d box even better.”

“I was saying to my dad before I got here that I hoped it was a huge crowd.”

“To get to a Senior final and win it is great – but I plan to get to an Elite final and box on TG4. I’d box out of my skin then.”

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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