Young guns follow Mark’s great lead
WHEN Mark Flanagan steps in the ring in France for his world title bout on Sunday morning, a couple of young boxers will be watching back home in Townsville believing they can follow in his footsteps.
Jalen Tait, 17, and Cooper Maddern, 15 are backing Flanagan to go all the way as he takes on Armenian- born Arsen Goulamirian for the interim WBA cruiserweight world title in Marseilles.
Flanagan came from humble beginnings in Townsville and he has been an inspiration to juniors at his old Upper Ross Hawks club, both in and out of the ring.
Tait is one of Australian boxing hottest prospects, having won 39 straight fights in his division with Flanagan regularly in his corner offering support.
Tait started boxing as a way to improve his self- confidence after being bullied as a kid and he said Flanagan had played a big role in his success.
“It’s making me excited watching him up there now,” Tait said.
“I stumbled into the gym and saw him and he’s the one that inspired me to go all the way with boxing – seeing where he’s come from and look at where he is now.
“He’s helped me with little bits of light sparring and he’s taught me a few tricks in the ring. He’s really easy to talk to and he welcomes everybody.
“I reckon he’s got it ( the world title fight). He’s real strong and he looks like he’s fit for this one.”
Maddern is in just his second year of boxing, but he recently won the Queensland Golden Gloves title and will soon get the chance to fight for an Australian title.
“I had a bad habit of keep- ing my hands down and Mark was the one that helped me keep them up so I don’t get knocked out,” Maddern said, laughing.
“It’s always pretty eyeopening ( training with Flanagan). You’re looking at one of the world champs.
“It’s very inspiring because I’ve always looked up to him and now that he’s going for that big title I really want to get up to his level.”
Hawks trainer and Flanagan’s long- time mentor Dennis Clancy said the 28- yearold’s influence at the club went far beyond just the boxing aspect.
“It’s not only that they’ve trained alongside him and the fitness and physical stuff, but he’s worked with them and when they’ve fought he’s been in the corner for them,” Clancy said.
“The big part for him is not just the boxing side of things, it’s the kind of person that Mark brings out in them. He’s a role model for them.
“It’ll be massive for both of them to see their idol in the ring going for a world title shot.”