Dallas takes up the fight
Super heavyweight aims for Olympics

Making a fist during an intense training session, AB Dallas Cleary sets his sights on elevating his boxing status for a shot at a spot in the Australian team for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

AB Dallas Cleary gets on the front foot during a sparring bout with an eager kick-boxing combatant. Photos by SMNBM John Jelicic.

By POPT Miranda Harper

ABBM Dallas Cleary has been boxing for a meagre two years. However, in this short time, he has become one of the Amateur Boxing League’s prized fighters, having racked up an impressive record of 13 victories from 15 bouts.

Last year proved that the 193cm and 109kg ABBM Cleary is one of the best amateur super heavyweights in the country, when he won the gold medal at the Suncorp Games in Townsville.

Later that year he reaffirmed his pugilistic prowess, with his stirring shut-out points victory over the highly-fancied super heavyweight, Ben Phillips from Sydney in the Australian titles.

All the titles and awards that Cleary, 26, has won seem to be over-shadowed by a grander goal that drives him to succeed. This goal is to box for Australia at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Australian Olympic representation in the ‘sweet science’ is extremely difficult.
To qualify for the Australian team, Cleary must win both the National and Oceanic titles this year.

However, to qualify for the national titles, he must first claim the Queensland title on March 15 in Hervey Bay.

(Navy News will publish a follow-up next edition).

Despite the challenges ahead, the modest Cairns-based sailor is confident about achieving his goals.

Many others in the fight game also believe the strapping sailor has what it takes to represent the green and gold in the toughest of sports.

FLGOFF Daniel Armstrong, who has worked with the Australian boxers at the Olympic Games said: “It is fraught with danger to get carried away with fighters in what they can achieve, especially super heavyweights as they are always only a single hit away from a loss.

“However, I honestly believe Dallas can defeat any Australian super heavyweight amateur currently competing.”
Cleary’s raw determination backed by excellent physical fitness and chilling punching power guarantees him a very good chance of making his Olympic dream a reality.

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