Hatton – Collazo undercard: James Clancy – Tyrone Smith

Unbeaten Irish heavyweight James Clancy (7-0, 1 KO) takes on Boston police officer Tyrone Smith (5-1-1, 2 KOs), former New England Golden Golves champion, on Saturday night’s Ricky Hatton-Luis Collazo undercard at the TD Bank North Garden (aka Boston Garden).

Clancy, now living in the Boston suburb of Waltham, is from Clare, Ireland. He has followed the path other successful Irish boxers such as Barry McGuigan, Steve Collins, Wayne McCullough and more recently Kevin McBride and John Duddy have traveled from the Emerald Isle to the United States.

“An Irish fighter in the states, especially in Boston or New York City, is worth his weight in gold. I believe that there is more respect for Irish boxers here than back in Ireland or England. It’s a privilege for me to be fighting on the Hatton-Collazo card in the Boston Garden, which is much like Madison Square Garden. This is going to be great for me and everybody else on the card.

“I’ve been working on my power because I want to become more of a boxer-puncher. I’m going to be aggressive Saturday night and really work the body. I want to keep fighting, build my record up, and see what course it takes. When I go home to Ireland I’ll be well known.”

Clancy’s supporters will be out in force having purchased nearly $20,000 in tickets. They’ll be waving Irish flags, singing the traditional “soccer” chant, and wearing plenty of green.

Boxing was part of growing up back in Clare for James and his younger brother, Mark, who is an undefeated cruiserweight (4-0-1) as a professional. James developed into a five-time Irish national champion, highlighted by his All-Irish Senior honor in 1995. As an amateur Clancy defeated present Irish heavyweight champion and his close friend, Kevin McBride, who was the youngest Irish Olympic boxer ever and last year retired Mike Tyson.

Clancy’s shot at the 1996 Olympics failed when he was injured against the English champion in a qualifying match. James was sidelined for eight months, continued his amateur career for a while, and then got out of the sport. In 2001, he decided on a a change of scenary, moving to Boston and using the civil engineering degree that he had earned from RTC in Cork to become a fulltime construction worker.

“I hadn’t fought for two years until Kevin (McBride) asked me to go down to Petronelli’s Gym (in Brockton),” James explained. “I did a little sparring, one thing led to another, and instead of returning to fight as an amateur, I decided to turn pro.”

Clancy, who lost a 3-2 decision to Calvin Brock as an amateur, made his pro debut March 17 2003, stopping Dan Veskovic in the second round of their fight at The Roxy in Boston. He continues to spar with the “Clones Colossus,” McBride, as well as other New England fighters such as 2004 U.S. Olympian Jason “Big Six” Estrada and USNABC cruiserweight champion Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey.

James, 33, works out of the South Boston Gym and is trained by Jimmy Gifford.

McBride said he’d abdicate his Irish heavyweight title to give Clancy an opportunity to fight for it against Colin Kenna. First, though, James has to get past a tough cop named Smith, fighting on the biggest stage of his career.