GLOVES UP: LSPT Dallas Clarey will soon be competing for the national super heavyweight boxing title and possibly a place on the Commonwealth Games team.

Photo: Marc McCormack

By Louise Butcher

The dream of representing Navy at the 2006 Commonwealth Games is just one punch away for HMAS Cairns’ based PTI and boxer, LSPT Dallas Clarey.

After recently winning the Queensland super heavyweight amateur boxing title, he is now training hard to win the national title, to be held in Perth in April.

This will enable him to qualify for the Games.

Clarey became interested in boxing after he broke his collarbone in 1999 playing rugby.

His injury required an operation inserting a plate and 12 screws to rebuild his shoulder.

He began to regain his fitness through boxing training and it was during this time a friend talked him into having a fight.

It was after this fight that he realized his boxing potential, after his first ever opponent was knocked out in the first round.

Since then he has been coached under Jon Hyde, who is also an accomplished boxer and kick boxer.

Although his recent win at the Qld titles had a lot to do with luck (winning by forfeit), Clarey has an impressive track record in the ring, winning 24 fights out of 27 with six by knockout.

However, his next fight will be his first for a year, due to conflicting priorities.

“I am a little nervous because I haven’t competed for a year due to having to take time out to complete my PTI course,” Clarey said. Despite the gap, he is confident because he has won an Australian title and two Queensland titles in the past.

He has increased his training from one to three hours a day and is in the best shape he has ever been in.

When he finally heads to the national titles, Clarey said he would use certain strategies to overcome his opponents.

“The opponents are all tall.

TALL TIMBER: LS Dallas Clarey hopes to win a place at the Commonwealth Games.

Photo: Marc McCormack

My training at the moment is based more around using reach, good defence and scoring punches, rather than going toe-totoe,” he said.

In the past, Clarey has inflicted some bodily grief on his opponents with several people knocked out and some with more serious injuries requiring hospitalisation.

But his first thoughts after the fight were always about any opponent he had injured. “You care about your opponent.

You are fighting them but at the end of the fight you shake hands and then go and have a beer. When you seriously hurt someone though you are concerned and you hope they are alright,” he said.

He also spoke out about the criticism and negative publicity surrounding the sport.

“I think people should really have a look into the sport and look at the injury record before making a judgement on it,” he said.

“If you look at other sports such as netball, rugby or hockey, there are more injuries than in boxing. With boxing you are fighting with a strict set of rules, for the safety of the fighters.

“We wear protective headgear, mouthguards and other protective garments, however, you can run on the rugby field wearing nothing but a mouthguard.”

PERSONAL STATS

Height/weight: 110kg,193cm Division: Super heavyweight 91+ kg History: 27 Fights, including 24 wins, 6 knockouts Titles: Two Qld titles, one Australian title, gold medal Suncorp North Qld Games, gold medal Golden Glove Championship

 

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