Published in the March 15, 2018 edition
NORTH READING — Many of the top amateur boxers in the United States and Ireland, including some 2020 Olympic hopefuls, held open workouts last weekend at McNally Boxing, 48 Main St. Team USA worked out on Sunday while Ireland’s boxers arrived Friday.
The workouts were held in preparation for USA Boxing’s three-city duals on the 2018 USA vs. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour, which opened Monday night at Boston’s Royale Entertainment Complex, followed by matchups on March 15 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield and March 21 at the Manchester Downtown Hotel in Manchester, N.H. both at 7 p.m. Go to www.usaboxing.org for tickets
Jim McNally, owner of McNally Boxing, is a second-generation boxer. His father, Bernie McNally, was the 14th rated heavyweight as a professional, three-time New England Golden Gloves champion, and undefeated during his military boxing career when he was in the U.S. Navy.
A native of Wilmington, Jim attended the University of Nevada at Las Vegas to play football and finished his education at Northeastern University. He was also a successful amateur boxer in the mid-1970’s: New England Golden Gloves novice and open division champion, as well as 1975 New England AAU heavyweight gold medalist. McNally was 19-1 as a professional, rated as high as No. 17 in the world, until an injury suffered in a car accident forced him into ring retirement.
McNally worked 28 years in the federal government, Secret Service and ATF, before retiring and eventually opening McNally Boxing three years ago this past January. He has been training fighters for 35 years, including two-time world heavyweight champion John Ruiz.
“I love boxing,” McNally said. “My gym is more about fitness, right now, but it’s operated like a boxing gym. I love training and developing fighters. We should have six or seven boxers in next year’s Golden Gloves tournament in Lowell.”
“Where our gym is relatively new, our members haven’t seen a lot of accomplished boxers. To have the top U.S. and Irish amateurs working out in our place is amazing. Everyone was excited.”
Headlining those in attendance in North Reading on Sunday was Lowell’s Mickey Ward who gave a pep talk to the boxers. Ward was recently selected Honorary Captain for Team USA for this Northeast Tour.
“To be honorary captain of Team USA means a lot to me,” Ward said. “It’s great having elite amateur boxing back in Boston with the national teams from the United States and Ireland. It’s especially exciting for me as an Irish-American.”
Team USA is led by Head Coach Billy Walsh (Colorado Springs), who represented Ireland at the 1988 Olympics before becoming the head of the Irish boxing program for over 10 years.
Headlining Team USA’s roster are 2017 World Championship bronze medalist Troy Isley (Alexandria, VA), 2017 Elite Continental Championships silver medalist Delante Johnson (Cleveland, OH), 2017 USA Boxing Heavyweight National Champion Jared Anderson (Toledo, OH), Four-time 2017 international gold medalist Virginia Fuchs (Kemah, TX), and 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalist and 2017 USA Boxing Super Heavyweight National Champion Richard Torrez (Tulare, CA.).
USA vs. Ireland Schedule
Thursday, March 15, 7 p.m.: MassMutual Center, Springfield; Wednesday, March 21, 7 p.m.: The Manchester Downtown Hotel, Manchester, N.H.
All boxers and bouts are subject to change.
